The Minnesota Twins have locked up second baseman Brian Dozier for the foreseeable future.
The Twins announced Tuesday that they've signed Dozier to a four-year, $20 million contract extension that will keep Dozier in Minnesota through 2018. Dozier, who turns 28 in May, will earn $2 million this season, $3 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018.
Dozier is entering his fourth season in the majors and his third as the Twins' everyday second baseman. He transitioned from shortstop before the 2013 season and had a breakout year, hitting 18 homers and driving in 66 runs in 147 games. He topped those numbers last year and joined the 20/20 club with 23 home runs and 21 stolen bases. Dozier also took part in the Home Run Derby at Target Field during last year's All-Star Game festivities.
Minnesota drafted Dozier in the eighth round of the 2009 amateur draft. After coming through the Twins' system as a shortstop, he debuted in 2012 by playing 84 games with Minnesota and batting .234. He batted .244 with a .312 on-base percentage in 2013 and was a .242/.345/.416 hitter in 2014. Dozier's 23 homers last year led the Twins, while his 71 RBI were second-most on the team.
Follow Tyler Mason on Twitter
