Los Angeles Dodgers Awaiting Decision by Twins on Brian Dozier

The Dodgers have been hotly pursuing the talented Minnesota second baseman.

The auction for Dozier should end sometime this week, says one baseball source close to the Minnesota Twins organization, although even the teams involved are not sure, if the Twins will ended up trading the hard-hitting second baseman.

New management at the Twins has shopped Dozier, who is 20, for the past two months. Los Angeles believes they presented the Twins the best offer with Jose De Leon a talented pitching prospect reported to be the centerpiece of the deal.

However, there are some indications that the Giants and Braves are in hot pursuit of the second baseman as well. Dozier in the recently ended season, hit 42 home runs with 99 runs batted in.

As well as the powerful bat Dozier wields that is needed in the Dodgers lineup to offset the team’s struggles against left-handers, Dozier is strong in most other categories including solid defense, running speed that is above average, the tools to lead off and leadership in the clubhouse.

Los Angeles has been focused almost entirely on getting Dozier to complete their offseason dealing. The All-Star is due $15 million over the upcoming two seasons. Other roster moves for the Dodgers have been put off in anticipation of landing Dozier.

The Dodgers are reportedly interested in Yangervis Solarte, Ian Kinsler and Logan Forsythe if the deal for Dozier does not go through.

According to a number of MLB insiders, Minnesota and Los Angeles have reached an impasse, with the Twins holding out for a better offer of other players besides just De Leon that the Dodgers are not willing to let go.

With another two years that remain on the contract of Dozier, Minnesota could remove him from the market, play him up to the trade deadline in August and then see what he will bring them.

However, the risk is that Dozier might not ever have the current value he has today following such a successful season in 2016.

Chase Utley was used primary as the regular second baseman for Los Angeles in 2016. He is currently a free agent and the Dodgers management does not see him being a regular at second due to being 38-years of age.

The club has spoken to him about returning and taking on a bench role in 2017. The only current second baseman on the Dodgers depth chart is Kike Hernandez.