Twins fans have heard time and time again that Brian Dozier could be traded during the offseason.
They held their breath through the winter meetings. They waited through rumors of interest from teams ranging from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Giants to the Cardinals, Braves and even the Pirates.
They have learned so much about Dodgers pitching prospect Jose DeLeon that he’s practically become a household name in Minnesota.
Deadlines for best offers have come and in some cases passed, and still nothing has happened.
So where are we with all of this Dozier trade talk?
According to MLB.com Twins blogger Rhett Bollinger, it now seems more likely that Dozier will remain in Minnesota.
Dozier appeared with Twins GM Thad Levine on the team’s “Deep Cuts” radio program Wednesday, and talked about the offseason.
On "Deep Cuts", Dozier discussed what he has learned through the trade talk this off-season. Click here for the showhttps://t.co/lGlhJMZtIJ pic.twitter.com/j8v2yYkTrm
— TwinsRadio (@TwinsRadio) January 12, 2017
Last year, Dozier blasted 42 home runs – becoming the first Twins player to hit more than 40 in a single season since Harmon Killebrew.
The belief around the league was moving Dozier would give the Twins their best chance to rebuild their pitching staff. But it doesn’t appear that teams have been willing to meet Minnesota’s asking price.
Dozier has two years remaining on his contract and fans may find solace if he stays in Minnesota. For years, fans have seen some of the organization’s best players shipped elsewhere for prospects that took time to develop.
The Star Tribune’s Phil Miller put together a list of the best players ever traded by the Twins.
- Chuck Knoblauch, 1998 – to the New York Yankees
- Rod Carew, 1978 – to the California Angels
- Bert Blyleven, 1976 – to the Texas Rangers
- Frank Viola, 1989 – to the New York Mets
- Johan Santana, 2008 – to the New York Mets
While anything can still happen, it seems there’s a better chance now that Dozier may open the season at second base for the one team no one thought he would – Minnesota.
