Dodgers acquire Brian Dozier from Twins

The Dodgers have acquired second baseman Brian Dozier from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for infielder Logan Forsythe and minor leaguers Luke Raley and Devin Smeltzer.

Dozier, 31, appeared in 104 games with the Twins this season batting .224 with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and 52 RBI. The Mississippi native ranks among Major League second baseman in runs (65  – second), hits (92 – seventh), doubles (21 – tied for eighth), home runs (16 – fifth), RBI (52 – sixth), stolen bases (8 – 11th), and walks (46 – second).

Even though Dozier appeared in 104 of the Twins 105 games this season, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Tuesday that he will not be his everyday second baseman and will only play against left-handed pitching. – Yeah, right. (Photo credit – Hannah Foslien)

An All-Star in 2015 and a Gold Glove winner at second base in 2017, Dozier has a .248 career batting average with 202 doubles, 167 home runs and 491 RBI along with a .772 OPS in 955 games over his seven big league seasons with the Twins. He has spent the majority of his career as the leadoff hitter, slashing .269/.310/.522 in 519 games and has belted 28 career leadoff home runs, which is currently the fifth most among active players. Since the start of the 2014 season, Dozier led the Twins in games (724), hits (717), runs scored (488), home runs (143), RBI (392) and walks (335). He has also led the Twins in home runs in each of the last five seasons (18 in 2013, 23 in ’14, 28 in ’15, 42 in ’16 & 34 in ’17), while also becoming the club’s all-time leader in homers at second base with 167 longballs.

Dozier was originally selected by the Twins in the eighth round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi.

Forsythe, 31, appeared in 70 games with the Dodgers this season batting .207 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 13 RBI. Over two seasons with Los Angeles, he has hit .218 with eight home runs and 49 RBI along with a .325 on-base percentage in 189 games.

There probably wasn’t a more likeable and polite guy in the Dodgers clubhouse than Logan Forsythe. Unfortunately, he just couldn’t hit. In his (almost) two seasons with the Dodgers, the Memphis, Tennessee native posted an atrocious .218 / .325 / .314 / .639 slash-line. He leaves the Dodgers with a horrible .207 batting average this season. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Smeltzer, 22, appeared in 23 games (14 starts) for Double-A Tulsa this season, going 5-5 with 4.73 ERA (44 ER/83.2 IP) and striking out 67 batters against just 19 walks. The Voorhees, New Jersey native was named a 2018 Texas League mid-season All-Star this year with the Drillers.Raley, 23, has slashed .275/.345/.477 with 17 doubles, 17 home runs and 53 RBI in 92 games with Double-A Tulsa this season.

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

 

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8 Responses to “Dodgers acquire Brian Dozier from Twins”

  1. SoCalBum says:

    this was an outstanding trade for Dodgers, even it it turns out to be only a rental. Received excellent value in return for Forsythe and two minor leaguers who might not have made 40 man roster prior to the next Rule 5 draft. I have always like Dozier and hopefully he and Turner Ward will fix any issues with his swing.

  2. Bob says:

    The first two guys we saw him greet in the dugout were batboys. I’ve gotta respect a guy like that.

    • Ron Cervenka says:

      Haven’t had the opportunity to meet Dozier one-on-one yet, but from everything I am hearing, he is a GREAT guy.

      I, too, wanted the Dodgers to get him two years ago. Instead, they signed Logan Forsythe, who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat. Thankfully (and finally), he’s gone.

      Now, if we can only find a way to get rid of Barnes…

      • SoCalBum says:

        getting rid of Barnes should not be a problem as he still has minor league option(s), but who replaces him? Dodgers concerned with clubhouse esprit de corps if Barnes sent back to OKC? He seems to handle pitcher very well behind the plate.

      • Dodgerfan says:

        How do you get rid of Barnes with grandahl being a free agent this year

      • Bob says:

        How’s Farmer doing defensively? He looked better this year, but hasn’t had much chance to show what he can do in the Show.

  3. It looks like the Dodgers would’ve done a lot better, so far this year, if they had Dozier, instead of Forsythe. Let’s hope he make a significant improvement the rest of the way.

  4. baseball 1439 says:

    A good trade. bullpen still needs help

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