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Report: Twins still haggling with Dodgers about Dozier

Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's 10 days into the new year, and even after the Minnesota Twins reportedly set a deadline of last week to trade second baseman Brian Dozier, he remains in the organization.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been in frequent discussions with the Twins about the 29-year-old, according to multiple reports. As of Monday, a trade between the two clubs still hadn't occurred because Minnesota continued to haggle with L.A. over the potential return in a swap, according to major-league sources of FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

It appears Minnesota is only willing to deal with the Dodgers, as USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports that unless L.A. increases its offer, Dozier will open 2017 with the Twins.

Jose De Leon has been mentioned as the main piece that could go back to the Twins in a trade, but Minnesota doesn't think the Dodgers' offer includes enough additional value on top of the prized pitching prospect, reports Rosenthal.

The Twins don't believe De Leon alone could carry a trade for Dozier, Rosenthal's sources say, nor do they think he will "fulfill the hype" he created by posting impressive minor-league numbers.

De Leon since 2014

SEASON LEVEL IP ERA WHIP SO9
2014 Rookie 54.1 2.65 1.16 12.8
2014 Single-A 22.2 1.19 0.71 16.7
2015 Class-A Advanced 37.2 1.67 0.90 13.9
2015 Double-A 76.2 3.64 1.17 12.3
2016 Triple-A 86.1 2.61 0.94 11.6
2016 MLB 17 6.35 1.53 7.9

First base prospect Cody Bellinger is a player the Twins are interested in, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, but the Dodgers aren't willing to part with the 21-year-old, who's hit 56 home runs in the minors over the last two seasons and is regarded as a great defender.

Dozier had a career year in 2016, hitting 42 home runs to go along with 35 doubles, 99 RBIs, and an .886 OPS. He'd be a major boon to an already impressive Dodgers lineup that is need of a starting second baseman.

Over his five seasons in the show, Dozier owns a .246/.320/.442 slash line with 117 home runs and 346 RBIs.

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