Trade talks are heating up at Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings and the biggest question involving the Minnesota Twins continues to be about Brian Dozier’s future.
Dozier, who is coming off a career season where he bashed 42 home runs, was at the Winter Meetings where he met with Twins baseball chief officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine for the first time in person.
According to MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger, Dozier understands the trade talk, but made it clear that he wants to remain a Twin.
“I’m a Twin for a reason,” Dozier said. “I signed that contract a few years ago because I wanted to be here for a while.”
Dozier is under contract with the Twins through 2018, but trade talks are continuing to gain momentum.
People in two different, non-Twins front offices have told me today that they're convinced Brian Dozier will be traded. Lotta Dodgers steam.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) December 6, 2016
Which teams are interested in Dozier?
Talks involving Dozier have really mostly centered on the Los Angeles Dodgers, but on Monday there were reports indicating the New York Yankees are also interested.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman quickly shot those reports down during an interview with MLB Network Radio.
"I haven't had any dialogue with the Twins about Dozier. That's a false report." – Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Yanks/Dozier rumors
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 5, 2016
However, Los Angeles has a major hole at second base. The Dodgers traded Howie Kendrick to Philadelphia and will likely lose Chase Utley to free agency.
Why would the Twins trade Dozier to Los Angeles?
The Dodgers might be one of the few teams who would have what it takes to land Dozier.
According to Fangraphs, the Dodgers have one of the deepest farm systems in all of baseball and could have a package with enough young talent to “wow” the Twins.
Falvey has said the the Twins aren’t actively looking to trade Dozier and it would take a lot to get them to consider moving him.
We’ll keep you updated.
