Tyler Trumbauer
Despite a productive year from second baseman Cesar Hernandez, the Phillies are reportedly interested in bring in Brian Dozier, a second baseman for the Minnesota Twins.
@nater79a @Brandon_Warne Angels interested, Phillies too, from what I’ve heard. Sure there’s at least one other in the mix, as well.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) November 25, 2016
In addition to Hernandez’s presence on the roster at that position, the team also acquired Howie Kendrick from the Dodgers a few weeks ago, who also can play second base. Kendrick will play in the outfield, however.
There have been rumors swirling since the end of the season that Hernandez could be on the move this offseason, which then would open up the position for others, such as Dozier.
The 29-year old Dozier would bring offensive help to a lineup which needed it desperately in 2016. Dozier boasts a .246 batting average and a .320 on-base percentage during his career.
For the career-long Twin to don the red pinstripes, it’d reportedly take quite a bit in return.
#mntwins continue to aim high in Dozier trade talks. Told at least one club they’d “have to be wowed” to deal 42-homer team MVP.
— Mike Berardino (@MikeBerardino) November 25, 2016
That high of a price seems to put the Phillies out of the running as general manager Matt Klentak has shown that he is not one to shell out big monies or unload big deals, unlike his predecessor. With that being said, manager Pete Mackanin is asking for a ‘big bat’ in the lineup, but is Dozier what Mackanin had in mind? Kendrick probably fits the bill as a big bat a little more than Dozier. But this Phillies teams needs offense in the worst day, and, well, they could do a lot worse.