The Rockies have interest in free agent second baseman Brian Dozier, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding reports. The club is only considering short-term options for Dozier, however, and even that type of contract might be questionable depending on the Rockies’ payroll.
Dozier was one of the game’s best all-around second basemen from 2014-17, particularly in the final two years of that stretch when he hit .269/.349/.522 with 76 homers over 1396 plate appearances for the Twins. Between that big bat, excellent baserunning and at least-average glovework, Dozier looked to be in line for a strong multi-year contract in free agency this winter before running into a rough 2018 campaign. Dozier hit just .215/.305/.391 with 21 home runs over 632 PA with the Twins and Dodgers last season, with knee problems perhaps contributing to the down year.
In the wake of such a season, the 31-year-old Dozier could be open to a short-term agreement (i.e. a one-year contract with a player option for 2020, or perhaps just a straight one-year deal) as something of a “pillow contract.” He’d get a chance to re-establish his value this season and then re-enter free agency next winter with a much stronger case for a lucrative multi-year commitment.
The Nationals and Brewers have both been linked to Dozier this winter, and both teams are in the market for a short-term answer at the keystone while a second baseman of the future (Carter Kieboom and Keston Hiura, respectively) waits in the wings for 2020. The Rockies are somewhat in the same boat, as they currently have noteworthy prospects Garrett Hampson and Ryan McMahon slated for the bulk of second base duties this season, now that DJ LeMahieu is off to test his own free agent wares. Since Colorado fully plans on contending next season, however, the team could prefer a more established second baseman, and in Dozier’s case, one that could end up being a major contributor if he returns to his old form.
Even on a one-year guarantee, Dozier might still cost too much for the Rockies’ liking, especially since his market is reportedly “starting to heat up.” Roster Resource already projects Colorado for a club-record Opening Day payroll of just under $151.9MM. A big chunk of those funds could be covered by a potentially record-setting arbitration payday for superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado, though the bigger issue is the amount of money the Rockies have spent in recent years on underachieving free agents (i.e. Ian Desmond, Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw, Mike Dunn). Beyond a second baseman, the Rockies could also need to spend to address their catching situation, plus a hole in the bullpen left behind by Adam Ottavino. The Rockies seem like a prime candidate for a contract swap, or perhaps just a pure salary dump to free up money for Dozier or other additions.
Dozier solid.
Could be a good move
Could hit 40 bombs again especially with the aid of Coors field. 1 year at 13mil?
Dozier was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last year. He and Kenley Jensen both went on the DL at the same time. Jensen was awful when he returned. He claimed the drug he was taking was effecting his play. Dozier wasn’t the same when he returned. Don’t know if he was taking the same drug
Dozier took Zyrtec and that’s what they said caused it. He stopped taking it. It’s never happened before as a Twin so it was probably the first time he ever took it.
Could be a powerhouse infield. Wonder who the all-time homerun hitting infield quartet consisted of. Single season.
My guess would be some combo of A-Rod, Cano, Teixeira, Jeter but who knows
Not sure if the best, but the best I could come up with.
2008 Marlins: (126)Jacobs, Uggla, Ramirez, Cantu
2002 Yanks: (125) Giambi, Soriano, Jeter, Ventura
2005 Rangers had 128. Texieria, Young, Blalock, Soriano
Funny that McGwire hit over half that by himself in 98 and 99 and neither Cards infield is anywhere near this list.
Dozier Had A Bad Year. The Twins had a bad year. Pretty sure got pitched around. Home Runs were still there, some ribbies. I’d say bounce back one year contract in Colorado might be good. But he was so out of sorts in LA. Maybe he should try and stay in the American League
Pitched around? He is a one-half hitter…usually the 2nd half when, due in part to him, his team is out of it. The year he hit 42, most of those solo shots came during August and September, when the 103 loss team was well out of it. He tries to pull everything. There is no reason to “pitch around” him. There is a statistic – close and late clutch hitting – he is the worst in the major leagues over the last five years. Buyer beware.
Dozier’s splits aren’t as bad as they’re made out to be.
First vs Second Half OPS
2014 = .777 vs .739
2015 = .841 vs .639
2016 = .786 vs .990
2017 = .745 vs .985
There are halves of the year where he’s good or adequate and halves where he’s MVP caliber. Apart from all of his miserable 2018 campaign, only 2015’s second half was an example of when he wasn’t valuable.
Buyer beware? On a one year contract for a guy who was arguably the 2nd most valuable 2B in all of baseball for the 4 years prior to last year?
Bummer about the bears game 🙁
Hes missed ten kicks…any fool would think he’d actually make it.
Be awesome to see Foles win the super bowl again. Doubtful though. Saints and brees will tear them apart.
Shouldn’t have gone for 2.
Eagles would have just kicked the extra point on there TD instead of going for 2. Outcome is the same either way.
That K will be unemployed very soon.
Haha
Why not just call up Brendan Rogers. Isn’t he supposed to be their top prospect. I understand that he is a shortstop but he should be able to man second. Dozier wpuld put up solid numbers but the Rockies would be wasting time and money. Keep the extra million or however much they want to offer Dozier for an Arenado extention for the future. It reminds me a lot of the Pirates and Austin Meadows. He was supposed to be Cutchs replacement. Watch him be an all star with the Rays.
Hampson had a great few games last year. In 40 AB he slashed .275/.396/.400/.796. 11 hits, 7 BB, 1HBP. I really thought he was flashing some great leather, too. Had a WAR of +0.3 in those few games, too. Either way I like what I see from the kids. Would hate for Bridich to trade the whole farm and it include either of them…
Saw Brendan play at single A in Asheville. Dude is gonna be good. I agree. Call him up and let him play 2B until SS is open.
The rule of thumb for a contending team is to never go into a season expecting anything from a prospect. Despite how good he should be, if the Rockies think they have a shot at the playoffs, it is irresponsible to “leave a spot open” for a prospect. It has worked out for a few teams recently, i.e. Yankees with Andujar and Torres, Braves with Acuna, although I don’t know if the Braves anticipated being in the playoff hunt. This isn’t the norm though, and there are far more examples of failures than successes.
Now, if a prospect beats out a veteran for a spot, then by all means let him play, but that is something you decide once April gets here.
Coors will boost. Dozier easily. What happened to him last. Season ?
I. Don’t. Know.
That will be fun to watch him hit in coors.
The Rockies don’t trust any of their prospects.
McMahon and Hampson could blossom with an actual chance at 2b. Alternatively, McMahon or Fuentes could do the same with a shot at 1b but it appears they would rather play Murphy at 1b instead of 2b and then sign a veteran 2b.
He can’t repair his value hitting at Coors. Now Miller Park…great hitters park without the reputation of Coors.
Please go to Colorado. Those home runs would spike
Wonder if the Sox would be interested in a short term deal with Dozier. They have a need and it’s a good hitters park
.300 OBP and 20 homers in a down year for a 2B is pretty damn good. Especially compared to guys like Harrison, who gets talked about like he’s in the same skill bracket. Dozier should be a great cost effective pick-up for whoever gets him.
PS. I love the comments sections in non-Yankee/Met articles like this. Usually no politics or flame wars. Just baseball.
Even on a one-year guarantee, Dozier might still cost too much for the Rockies’ liking, especially since his market is reportedly “starting to heat up.”
Heat up? More like propaganda!
If the Rockies sincerely want to sign him, they better run him through a few DPs to see how he rolls with Story and take a good look at Dozier’s arm strength!!!
Kick the tires as like you would when buying a car, I mean who wants a heap?
think the Dodgers would be smart to give hime something short term. word was he was injured and he really wanted to be in LA. almost overwhelmed. i think he is going to have huge upside for some team this year.
Coors would be great for getting his value back up, and if the Rockies don’t perform well as a team you move him for prospects. Would be a great landing spot
Rox don’t need this guy. We have several very talented infield prospects (Hampson, Rogers, McMahon) and so let’s see what they can do. Even Desmond could play 2B with Murphy on 1st .
Desmond hits like a middle infielder. He’d have that part of the role down.
After his first two weeks of being a the Dodger, Dozier was so disappointing. It was reveled much later that he had knee strain that should’ve put him on the disabled list but he continued to play through it. Playing through pain can be admirable but he really cost the team at bats, contributing to the blackhole that was the offense. He also failed to make a couple of key plays on defense that sparked some runs for the opposing team in the playoffs.
Part of me would like to see him get a second chance but geezus, was he disappointing in his first go-around with the Dodgers.
Garrett Hampson just turned 24 and not only hit very well last year in AA/AAA he’s apparently a very good defensive player. At some point, Colorado should make a decision on the guy rather than throw $10-mil to Brian Dozier. Considering the amount of runs their lineup can produce, having a strong defender at 2B wouldn’t be the worst idea.
It’s frustrating the lack of opportunity theRox give to their young talent.
This would be a nice pickup, prove it deal for the rox. I could see him tomahawking high fastballs out of coors with ease. Rockies just better be patient cuz he is a notoriously slow starter!