The Brian Dozier rumor mill is again churning strong with just two days left in 2016. The Twins don’t have to trade Dozier, but ESPN’s Buster Olney thinks they will end up making a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“My guess here is that the Dodgers and Twins finish a deal and that L.A. lands the type of right-handed slugger who can help improve their production against left-handed pitching,” Olney wrote Friday, via ESPN Insider.
Olney’s guess came just hours after La Velle Neal III of the Star Tribune reported that the Twins are asking teams to present final offers for Dozier.
At this point, the Dodgers appear to be the only team with a chance to get Dozier, based on reports saying the Giants don’t have the prospects while the Braves, Nationals and Cardinals are on the outside looking in, if interested at all.
Ten days ago Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes the Twins will take a major risk by going into the season with Dozier. His value is the highest it’s ever been right now, and if he struggles at all in 2017 his value will drop.
The guy the Twins are believed to be in line to receive in a deal with the Dodgers is right-handed pitching prospect Jose De Leon. Rosenthal writes:
“De Leon, as an upper-level pitching prospect, represents the most valuable currency in the sport. The Dodgers are set to use that currency to fill the one remaining void in their lineup, whether it’s with Dozier or someone else.”
That’s the latest on the Dozier drama. We’ll keep you updated when something fresh breaks.
