Twins GM: We'd never use a deadline as leverage in trade negotiations

Though it was reported earlier this month that the Minnesota Twins have put a trade clock on Brian Dozier, general manager Thad Levine said the club would never rule out listening to an offer from a rival team at any time.

"We would never use (a deadline) to leverage a negotiation. I think that's pretty flimsy and transparent," Levine told Go 96.3, according to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. "There's going to be a time this offseason where we may stop initiating calls, but we're always going to pick up the phone and hear teams out. We would be imprudent not to do that."

The Twins have reportedly been in discussions with the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding a possible trade involving Dozier for most of the offseason, though the deal was said to have hit an impasse this week. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports said earlier this month the Twins had informed interested suitors to put their best offers in soon as they do not want negotiations to drag on into late January.

Dozier is coming off a career year after hitting .268/.340/.546 with 42 home runs and 99 RBIS, and while he's owed just $15 million over the next two seasons, the rebuilding Twins could sell him high in order to further restock their minor-league system.

While the Dozier trade rumors continue to drag on, Levine says he sympathizes with the player and acknowledged it's likely not an easy thing to endure.

"It's remarkable the pressures these guys have on them when they're rumored to be in trades," Levine said. "They have a lot of loved ones asking, 'What's going on?' It's tough for them to continually have to answer, 'I don’t know.'"