Dodgers Rumors: Second Baseman Options To Consider
The Dodgers just recently traded Howie Kendrick to the Phillies and Chase Utley is on the free agent market. Who will the Dodgers new second baseman be?
The Dodgers acquired first baseman Darin Ruf and second baseman Darnell Sweeney from the Phillies in exchange for veteran utility man Howie Kendrick.
In his first nine years with the Angels, Howie was an everyday second baseman. When traded to the Dodgers in 2015 he was still an everyday second baseman, but that all changed once for Phillie Chase Utley arrived in August of 2015.
At the beginning of the 2016 season, Kendrick was told that he would be sharing time with Utley at second as well as seeing playing time at third base, first base and in left field. Over time he began to become upset with his role on the club and was later traded.
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Currently, Utley is on the free agent market, and at almost 38 years old not a lot of teams want to offer him a multi-year deal. Despite his on and off-field presence it is too much of a risk to give him that.
According to Jon Morosi, there have been multiple reports saying that the multiple teams are interested in Twins second baseman Brian Dozier and Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler. Dozier had a great year posting 42 home runs, 99 RBI’s and a .268 batting average in 155 games.
Also, Brian hasn’t even hit the age of 30, yet he is very valuable. .Kinsler just won the 2016 AL Gold Glove Award this year at second base with the Detroit Tigers and had one of his best offensive years hitting 28 long balls, driving in 88 and having a .288 batting average.
In 2015, Dozier signed a four-year, $20 million deal to stay with the Twins. He only has $15 million left on his contract over the next two years. You would be paying $7.5 million a year for a guy who could hit 40+ homers and drive in 100+.
Kinsler, on the other hand, signed a five-year, 475 million deal with the Tigers in 2014. He is only owed $21 million over the next two years. That is $10.5 million per year for a veteran guy who has proven that he can still hit and field well.
Sources have told Jon Morosi of Fox Sports that the Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips who is now 35 years old that he is “more willing” to consider waiving no-trade clause this offseason. Brandon is that dude that everyone wants on his team with his bright smile and his “swag” plays on the field. He only has one year, $14 million remaining on his contract so he could be a huge pickup.
Sources: Brandon Phillips is more willing to consider waiving no-trade clause this offseason than last, with only 1 year left on deal. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 12, 2016
These teams will most likely be expecting a veteran player in return and possibly a prospect or two.
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The Dodgers have been known to hold onto their prospects in fear that they will be great when they make it to the big leagues. But in this case, you almost have no choice but to give up some prospects.
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