REPORT: Dozier Extension Talks Die

I think it's wise to let him reach Free Agency.  If they decide they want him beyond this year after the season, I doubt his value will increase greatly.  With our impending middle infield depth, it's worth the gamble.

I do think they try to bring him back. Let the market set his value and then see what they want to do. If he wants more than 2-3 yrs though, I'd guess he's gone

Good plan. At his age and with the big group of good free agents next winter no reason to over pay now. Saying overpay because I think he would want a decent number of money and years to sign now. I don't really see a strong 2B market next winter when you see what Neil Walker got this winter.

I have said this before...truly believe the days of 5+ year deals being handed out like candy to players in his age range at a parade are over.  Not saying he won't get someone to bite but I bet that is the type of deal he is looking for.  Max the Twins will offer IMO if they do offer is 3 years.  I anticipate a great year from Doz.  Here is to hoping it happens.  He will be paid well somewhere for certain.  Win Twins!

I've thought this for years:   Is Brian Dozier a Dan Uggla or a Jeff Kent? If he is another Jeff Kent, he's going to be valuable for a long time, if he falls off a cliff like Uggla, maybe letting him go before his age 32 season is a pretty good plan.

Holy crap, Jeff Kent hit 239 HR from his age-31 season and onwards. 

Either Dozier isn't just that GREAT, or he is vastly undervalued. Considering the Twins couldn't trade him for anything of significance.

Of course, the Twins were hoping to see some stability in a great start of the year for Polanco, which isn't existing. When they take a look at Gordon is the next qustion. And the fate of Escobar as he heads into free agency himself is the bigger question.

We don't know the type of monies either side might be throwing out or thinking about. And that is the Big Question. 2-3 years with an option. Two good years with an option? Is he worth $10 million a year? Someone said the Twins could always make a qualifying offer, but that is pushing Dozier towards Joe Mauer territory.

Is the team still cheap? Sure, they dangled more than $100 million to Davish, or so we were told. But they basically got GREAT deals on solid players, smart front office, rather than overpaying for competent players, like the front office of past.

Dozier COULD be a trade chip if the team goes south. If they do go south, then it is more of a chance that they don't spend monies like this year. But...time will tell.

I always felt Dozier would be a decent addition to the team for a few seasons, either transitioning into the Mauer replacement for a season at first, or being a designated hitter who can play a few positions in the field, value in its own way. He still has power, has speed.

But I do wish they started the season with Buxton leading off, Dozier hitting 3rd, Morrison or Sano sharing 4th/5th.

Why would Dozier sign now.  If they wanted him, last year was the right time, now he has the right to be a FA and the Twins can now say to angry fans - we tried.

This is so last month. Why even keep writing additional pieces about it?

I would like Dozier to stay. He has the Chance to be an all time Twins great. He could hit between 300 and 400 HRs for his career and be 2nd on the franchise list. While players dont spend their whole career with one team anymore we fans still like some continuity on the team too.

Also next offseason both LA teams will be in the market for a second baseman. Will be hard to keep costs down when the two financial power house teams are needing a second baseman.

Also next offseason both LA teams will be in the market for a second baseman. Will be hard to keep costs down when the two financial power house teams are needing a second baseman.

Maybe not if one (or both) trade for an upgrade midseason.

With all the blue-chip FAs next season, it's hard for me to see Dozier getting the super payday he seeks. I see him as more of a mauve chip, or perhaps a pale azure chip in comparison. It wouldn't totally surprise me if he goes on the market, finds that the big-market teams are all spent-out chasing the Harpers and Machados, and decides that a reasonable offer to stay put with a young, competitive team is pretty attractive.

Either Dozier isn't just that GREAT, or he is vastly undervalued. Considering the Twins couldn't trade him for anything of significance.

 

Of course, the Twins were hoping to see some stability in a great start of the year for Polanco, which isn't existing. When they take a look at Gordon is the next qustion. And the fate of Escobar as he heads into free agency himself is the bigger question.

 

We don't know the type of monies either side might be throwing out or thinking about. And that is the Big Question. 2-3 years with an option. Two good years with an option? Is he worth $10 million a year? Someone said the Twins could always make a qualifying offer, but that is pushing Dozier towards Joe Mauer territory.

 

Is the team still cheap? Sure, they dangled more than $100 million to Davish, or so we were told. But they basically got GREAT deals on solid players, smart front office, rather than overpaying for competent players, like the front office of past.

 

Dozier COULD be a trade chip if the team goes south. If they do go south, then it is more of a chance that they don't spend monies like this year. But...time will tell.

 

I always felt Dozier would be a decent addition to the team for a few seasons, either transitioning into the Mauer replacement for a season at first, or being a designated hitter who can play a few positions in the field, value in its own way. He still has power, has speed.

 

But I do wish they started the season with Buxton leading off, Dozier hitting 3rd, Morrison or Sano sharing 4th/5th.

It comes down to his age, really.  He is turning 32.  Is it smart to give a 32 year old player who isn't actually a superstar a multiyear deal because he is a good guy and fans are used to him?

I don't see Dozier as being the player he was the last few years for very much longer.  Players like Jeff Kent are the rare exception.  Dozier isn't some guy on a HOF trajectory.  He hit a mess of home runs for a few years.  Chase Utley did as well, but his production tailed off in a big way when he got the age where Dozier will be next year.

These guys did an analysis and found that a whole lot of second baseman (and other players) have dips in production in these years.  It is inevitable.  They don't want to pay the guy for being the player he was as opposed to the player he will be.  Dozier seems to want a reward for being the player he was.

Sorry dude.  Goodbye

Twins options on a Dozier trade are probably less than last year.  The other problem is Polanco's suspension.  

Trade Dozier now and take whatever you can get?  And to coin a phrase:  

What's on second! 

Neil Walker is a fine 2B and Torres is pretty much ready.  He'll likely be in NY this year and certainly by next year where he'll take over SS with Didi moving to 2B or Torres will switch to 2B.

Either way, they won't want or need Dozier.

I believe this Dozier last year in Minnesota with this regime in place. He will be 32 years old and by all analytical people they will not pay for aging player no matter what his current numbers are. The Twins are so deep with talent coming up at second and short stop that signing Mauer just slows flow of these players to the major league club. Only way I see him staying with the Twins is they should trade Sano for a major pitcher this year later and he's willing to move from second to third base then they might sign him to contract but I find this scenario highly unlikely. I am getting to think what were going to see is that players over 31 years old are only be signed 1, 2 and 3 year contracts and after that it will be done one year contracts or minor league contract each year. That is why I am getting certain that were heading for nasty labor dispute at end of this current labor agreement. The Mauer contract will be thing of past unless labor agreement changes. Mauer contract he has been over paid last several years of the contract but it was paying for the bargain he was in his early part of his career. Owners and new management groups have gotten away from that forgetting this was unwritten rule between labor and ownership  where they paid for early part of their careers with longterm later contract. This way baseball had lower costs to develop these players and didn't have to put up money for unproven players. This will be labor dispute now in the future players will want to be paid when they are young and productive so there will be very little time controlled by ownership in the future. So enjoy few years of labor free fights because the next one will be like we had back in early 90's.

The top tier of players will be paid this offseason, but it will neither be deep or many players per club as the luxury tax issues will start to reign in spending way over the cap.  

I agree with ND-fan that the players are already unhappy and a few big contracts with the rest of the over 30 crowd getting a max of 3 year contracts.  The main reason the top players will get paid is the bulk of them are 30 and under. Teams are learning that steroids had a big effect in players performing well into their late thirties and we are back to the older models of most major league players being done between 32 and 35.

I also wrote a piece a while back expecting a strike or a very difficult discussion after the 2021 season. Enjoy the next few seasons as I expect a strike in 2022.  Players have 4 years to prepare for this, so the smart ones will have more than enough money to last through this.  The players hurt will be the 0 - 3 year players who will not have time to put money away.

I do not know if I would even offer a QO depending on what I think of Gordon.  Too much a chance that an FA like Dozier may take it.