Brian Dozier’s career in Minnesota is over, with ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reporting the deal is done.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Twins will receive infielder Logan Fortsythe, left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer (Double-A), and outfielder Luke Raley (Double-A).
Raley was rated as the 19th-best prospect in L.A.’s organization, according to MLB Pipeline. He’s hitting .275 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 93 games at Double-A this season.
“It’s a very difficult day on a lot of fronts,” Twins chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said. “Brian has been a meaningful part of this franchise. This an opportunity for him to go to a winning ballclub that was in the World Series last year and with their roster is looking to maybe finish it off this time. We just felt like for us as an organization, this was the right time to make this decision. We were able to acquire some talent we feel can help us build toward a championship future.”
Dozier is hitting .224 with 16 home runs, 52 RBI, 21 doubles, 65 runs, eight stolen bases and has a .708 OPS, the lowest since his rookie season in 2013.
“Raley has strength and leverage in his 6-foot-3 frame and could develop average power if he adds more loft to his left-handed stroke,” MLB Pipeline says. “He handles left-handers and right-handers equally well but could use some more patience at the plate. An average runner out of the batter’s box who picks up speed underway, he’s aggressive on the bases.”
This has been a down season for Dozier, who at 31 years old is due to become a free agent after the season. His numbers are not indicative of a player about to receive a massive free-agent contract, but he still has time to go on another late-season tear to boost his value.
Dozier’s pre-All-Star break numbers this season were comparable to each of the last three seasons.
- 2018: .230 AVG, 16 HR, 48 RBI, 19 2B, 60 R
- 2017: .242 AVG, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 17 2B, 39 R
- 2016: .246 AVG, 14 HR, 43 RBI, 16 2B, 47 R
- 2015: .256 AVG, 19 HR, 50 RBI, 26 2B, 67 R
Dozier is known to explode at the plate in the second half of the season, especially in 2016 and 2017 when he finished with 42 and 34 homers, respectively. He’s yet to get hot for an extended period of time this season, but he’s erupted in August each of the last two seasons, hitting .319 with nine homers and 22 RBI in August 2017, and .302 with 13 homers and 27 RBI in August 2016.
In Los Angeles, Dozier will have a chance to help the Dodgers compete for the National League West crown and go back to the World Series for a second year in a row. The Dodgers lost the World Series in seven games to the Houston Astros last season.
