The San Francisco Giants have been linked to Minnesota Twins All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports. Dozier, who has hit 93 home runs the last three seasons, including 42 last season, could be the missing power bat the Giants need.
Dozier, who finished 13th in the American League MVP voting, slashed .268/.340/.546 for an OPS of .886 in 2016. The San Francisco Giants were one of the worst power hitting teams in the majors last season. Minnesota scouted the Giants minor league system last season before trading 2016 All-Star Eduardo Nunez for Adalberto Mejia.
Would another trade between the two organizations be possible?
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Joe Panik, the Giants Gold Glove and All-Star second baseman will be arbitration eligible in 2018. Meanwhile, Dozier is owed $6 million next season and $9 million in 2018. While the Giants may be interested in Dozier’s bat, I don’t see the Giants being interested in losing Panik’s glove. With the Twins and Giants both claiming their finances are keeping them from bigger moves, neither team seem likely to take on salary.
It is possible San Francisco would consider moving Dozier to third base or left field with Nunez playing the other position. That is the most far fetched option, however, as Dozier has not proven the ability to play either position. Some in the Giants front office now regret that they traded infielder Adam Duvall to Cincinnati, only to see him flourish in the outfield for the Reds.
All of this speculation could also just be a ploy to drive the price up for the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. It has been well documented that the Dodgers are interested in bringing Dozier to L.A. It is possible Evans’ interest in Dozier is in part to force the Dodgers to offer more for the second baseman.
Ultimately, the Giants seem like an unlikely landing spot for Brian Dozier.
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