Why the Braves should trade for Brian Dozier
One of the hottest topics of Major League Baseball's offseason, which remains as unfinished business as the calendar turned from 2016 to 2017, is whether or not the Minnesota Twins will trade Brian Dozier.
With the Twins adamant about resolving the Dozier situation over the next week, the 29-year-old could be on the move soon.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had their sights set on the power-hitting second baseman for most of the offseason, but the Atlanta Braves surfaced as a "stealth landing spot" for Dozier on Friday, although they may be a "long shot."
Related: Braves could be 'stealth landing spot' for Dozier
Atlanta seems intent on acquiring a second baseman, as reports emerged on Thursday they had a deal in place for Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds in November before he vetoed the trade, and Dozier could fit their need.
The younger Dozier, his team-friendly contract ($15 million over the next two seasons) and his 42 home runs and 99 RBIs from this past season would be a better option than Phillips, thus giving the Braves another powerful bat in their lineup alongside Freddie Freeman and Matt Kemp.
Competing with the Dodgers, who have the financial muscle to pull off almost any deal and a good farm system to boot, would be tough for any team, but the Braves are an intriguing suitor for Dozier's services thanks to a spectacular farm system of their own and a sudden need to compete.
| PLAYER | POS | ORG RANK* | OVERALL RANK* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dansby Swanson | SS | 1 | 4 |
| Ozzie Albies | 2B/SS | 2 | 12 |
| Sean Newcomb | LHP | 3 | 47 |
| Kolby Allard | LHP | 4 | 61 |
| Ian Anderson | RHP | 5 | 77 |
* Info courtesy of MLB Pipeline
With the Braves heading into a new stadium at SunTrust Park to begin the 2017 campaign, "Hotlanta" is itching to see the Braves return to the top of the National League East standings, where they reigned supreme from 1995-2005, and acquiring Dozier would certainly help.
After finishing the second half of the 2016 campaign with a winning record, the Braves appear eager to build on the momentum, adding Bartolo Colon, R.A. Dickey, and Sean Rodriguez in free agency, trading for southpaw Jaime Garcia, and inking Ender Inciarte to a long-term deal.
Adding Dozier to their lineup would be the icing on the cake of a fine offseason by general manager John Coppolella and would show Braves fans the organization is interested in establishing a winning culture once again as they move into their new building, and towards a seemingly bright future.