MLB Rumors: 3 teams who should trade for Brian Dozier

TORONTO, ON - JULY 25: Brian Dozier #2 of the Minnesota Twins runs to second base as he hits a double in the eleventh inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on July 25, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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Now less than 24 hours now left before the trade deadline, these three teams should be all-in to get Brian Dozier.

Within the window of a few hours before and after last Friday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox, the Minnesota Twins traded infielder Eduardo Escobar and relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to contending teams. Now, a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick points to second baseman Brian Dozier being on his way out before Tuesday afternoon’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Dozier is having a down year, with a .224/.306/.404 slash-line, 16 home runs and 52 RBI over 103 games entering Monday. He seemed ready for another second half surge heading into the All-Star break, but in the three games since Escobar was dealt Dozier is just 1-for-12 with zero extra base hits.

But in both 2016 and 2017, Dozier was one of the best hitters in baseball during the second half of the season. In 2016 he hit 28 home runs with a .990 OPS, and in 2017 he hit 21 home runs with a .985 OPS. So a contending team with a need for an infielder and an offensive boost could buy into him as a difference-making rental, with fingers crossed he can get back on a hot streak at the plate.

The trade market for infielders has thinned quite a bit in recent days, but these three teams are in position to make a late deal for Dozier.

3. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are doing without Dustin Pedroia, who has played just three games this year after knee surgery early last offseason. Primary fill-in Eduardo Nunez has been fine (.259/.289/.369 slash-line entering Monday), and he has a hit in five of his last six games (three straight multi-hit games).

But Dozier would be a nice upgrade, as a pull-happy fit for Fenway Park toward the top of Boston’s lineup. And with Rafael Devers (left hamstring) going back on the disabled list on Sunday, Nunez could shift primarily to third base if there was a better defensive option to play second.

The Red Sox are starting to put some space between themselves and the New York Yankees, with a 5.5 game lead entering Monday’s action. An addition like Dozier would fortify a notable potential weakness.

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