Report: Nationals, Dozier agree to 1-year, $9M deal

The Washington Nationals are in agreement with free-agent second baseman Brian Dozier on a one-year, $9-million deal, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports.

Dozier, 31, is coming off of a down year at the dish, posting a .215/.305/.391 slash line with 21 home runs between the Twins and Los Angeles Dodgers. The former All-Star hit a combined 76 homers with Minnesota over the 2016-'17 seasons. He's also two years removed from capturing a Gold Glove.

Dozier is a member of a free-agent class that includes notable depth at second base. While veterans Daniel Murphy and Ian Kinsler have landed jobs, DJ LeMahieu and Jed Lowrie - who were expected to be the priciest of the bunch - remain on the open market.

The Nationals are dealing with the loss of Murphy at the keystone and had Wilmer Difo and Howie Kendrick as possible internal options to take the Opening Day role. Now, Dozier will enter spring training as the favorite to earn that job, with prospect Carter Kieboom expected to challenge for the roster spot in 2020.

Washington is in the midst of a busy winter while dealing with the potential loss of superstar Bryce Harper. The Nationals have added Patrick Corbin, Kurt Suzuki, Yan Gomes, Kyle Barraclough, and Trevor Rosenthal so far this offseason.