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Los Angeles Dodgers: Trading for Brian Dozier would be a mistake

By Jason Reed

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 07: Brian Dozier #2 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of the game on June 7, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 7-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 07: Brian Dozier #2 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI single against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning of the game on June 7, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the White Sox 7-2. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Manny Machado has been the biggest rumored target for the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, an old trade target has emerged in recent reports about LA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been painted as the front-runners in the Manny Machado sweepstakes as the MLB Trade Deadline looms. However, despite having the pieces and the flexibility to add a three-month rental in Machado, the Dodgers are also exploring other options.

Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reported that Brian Dozier is one of three other infielders that the Dodgers have engaged in trade discussions for (h/t Bleacher Report). Scooter Gennett and Asdrubal Cabrera have also been talked about in trade discussions.

Those two are both interesting and you will hear what we think about their fits in LA. However, this article is about Dozier.

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Before acquiring Logan Forsythe prior to the 2017 season, Dozier was one of the most talked about trade targets for the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a hole at second base, the Dodgers became a natural fit for Dozier and a great trade partner due to the team’s prospects.

However, that deal obviously never happened and Dozier enjoyed a playoff year in 2017 before the Twins returned to mediocrity in 2018.

As for the Dodgers, Forsythe has not been great at the plate and the roster is so flexible that it can adapt to Dozier playing second base. After all, Dozier is a power-hitting bat, he should fit right into this Dodgers team! Right?

Wrong.

The Los Angeles Dodgers would be extremely foolish to trade for Brian Dozier at the deadline. Not only is Dozier not worth the elite prospects that the Dodgers would have to give up, he simply has not been good this season.

The power-hitting second baseman is hitting .222 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs. Dozier’s .708 OPS is 57th for players with at least 350 plate appearances. There are only 66 players with 350 plate appearances, putting him in the 13th percentile.

The Dodgers have a better outlook in the minor league than what the team would have to give up for Dozier. Los Angeles could simply call up Alex Verdugo, move Chris Taylor to second and have a much better addition than Dozier in the lineup.

Yes, the Dodgers can add more to the team by staying in their own talent pool. Crazy how that works.

The Dodgers could better utilize the deep farm system to trade for pitching or even fork up a pretty penny for Machado. While the Orioles do seem stubborn thus far, they will inevitably make a move before the deadline. If the Dodgers have the best offer, they win the sweepstakes.

Instead of wasting prospects on a power-hitting second baseman with a huge hole in his swing, the Dodgers can pursue Kyle Barraclough or Adam Conley in Miami or even Brad Hand in San Diego.

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Trading for Dozier simply does not make sense. If the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t do it 18 months ago then there is no reason why the team should do it now. Period.

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