Dodgers continue to go all-in with trade for Brian Dozier
The Los Angeles Dodgers are determined to make up for last year’s failure in the World Series. The team continued to go all-in at the trade deadline, picking up second baseman Brian Dozier from the Minnesota Twins, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
In return for Dozier, the Twins will receive Logan Forsythe, pitcher Devin Smeltzer and outfielder Luke Raley, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The 31-year-old Dozier is hitting .224/.305/.402, with 16 home runs, over 462 plate appearances in 2018. While Dozier’s numbers are down, the former All-Star gives the Dodgers an upgrade in the infield and allows the team to remain under the luxury tax moving forward.
What does the Brian Dozier trade do for the Dodgers?
It gives them a solid player at second base. While Max Muncy has broken out in 2018, there’s no guarantee that will continue in the second half. Since the All-Star Game, Muncy has hit .195 in 11 games. That’s a small sample, but it highlights the fear of relying on a surprising breakout like Muncy the entire year. The magic could run out at any time.
Dozier is predictable and established at second. While he hasn’t been a high average hitter, he can provide solid pop at the position. He also has years of experience at second base. Muncy hasn’t played much at that position, so the Dodgers may have taken defense into consideration with the move.
The deal also confirms the Dodgers are trying their best to deliver a World Series in 2018. Dozier didn’t have to be a priority for them, but he makes the team better. Combine him with Manny Machado, and it’s clear the Dodgers want to get over last year’s disappointment of losing Game 7 to the Houston Astros. Just after acquiring Dozier, the team also announced a deal for reliever John Axford, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
All three of those players will be free agents at the end of the season, so the Dodgers’ focus is definitely short-term right now.
What does the Brian Dozier trade do for the Twins?
Bringing in Logan Forsythe was just a matter of offsetting the cost for the Dodgers. The real value in the deal for Minnesota is Raley and Smeltzer. The two aren’t huge names, though. Raley rated at the Dodgers’ No. 26 prospect coming into the season according to Baseball America. He’s hit .275/.345/.477 in 2018. Smeltzer did not rank among the team’s top-30 prospects according to BA. He’s posted a 4.73 ERA over 83 2/3 innings.
The Twins were going to lose Dozier to free agency at the end of the season anyway, so at least the team got something for him before he left.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
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