Article: Minnesota Twins And Brian Dozier Sign 4-Year Extension

[Otto von Ballpark]

actually they did. With all of the listed players (possibly not Radke) they signed contracts buying out arb years and one year of FA.

They didn't sign them early. All of the players were arb eligible already when they signed their extensions.

[Reider]

Brian Dozier earned the $ and the contract extension, so good for him and the Twins as they both benefit from this deal. When I first saw Dozier play a few years ago, I really wasn't sold on him. However, it has been obvious to me that he is a very hard worker and has shown steady improvement over the last couple of years. The effort he gives on and off of the field, day in and day out, shows in his play. He makes spectacular plays on defense, can change the momentum of a game with his bat, and is a solid base runner. I'm sure he is a good person in the clubhouse as well.

 

I don't want to necessarily compare him to Dustin Pedroia because there is only one Pedroia, but the way Dozier plays the game reminds me of Pedrioa. They are both "gamers." As long as Dozier continues to play the game full throttle and with as much effort and passion as he does, he is the kind of guy you want on your team. I know some players' level of play falls off after they sign a big contract, but in my opinion, I would be fine with Dozier being a long-term Twin as long as he continues to approach and play the game the way he has over the last couple of years. He's been a lot of fun to watch and I have no doubt in my mind that he has the ability to be an important piece of the puzzle over the next few years.