Major League Baseball teams are set to begin their Spring Training 2017 campaign but that does not necessarily mean the trading season is over. The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the teams who are still scouting the market to get additional firepower based on recent MLB trade rumors.
The Dodgers are looking to improve their frontline via trade. Second baseman Brian Dozier is on top of their priority list, as they are engaged in talks with the Minnesota Twins, CBS Sports reported.
Dozier is considered as a top-level talent and is coming off the best season of his career. The 29-year-old averaged .268 last season with career-highs 42 home runs and 99 RBIs.
The Dodgers are willing to pay the price in any deal for Dozier, who is set to earn $15 million in the final two years of his contract. However, the likelihood of a deal still depends on the Minnesota Twins' willingness to give up their second baseman.
At this point, the Twins are reportedly having second thoughts about parting ways with the five-year veteran. This could force the Dodgers to back out of the talks and focus on other targets.
If the Dodgers fail to acquire Dozier from the Twins, the Dodgers could pursue a deal for Ian Kinsler, Boston Globe reported. The 34-year-old second baseman is one of the players who is reportedly on the trading block.
Compared to the Twins, the Tigers are more willing trade partners for the Dodgers. The Tigers might not ask for a lucrative package in return because they are trying to get salaries off their books. Kinsler is set to earn $11 million this season and $10 million with a buyout clause of $5 million next year.
However, acquiring Kinsler may not be a walk in the park for the Dodgers as well because there could be bumps along the road. The veteran has a partial no-trade clause in his contract, which gives him the right to turn down trades to specific teams, including the Dodgers.
The Dodgers and the Tigers had initial trade talks for Kinsler in November last year, but the 10-year veteran signaled that he will not approve a trade to Los Angeles. Previous reports indicated, though, that he will give the trade the green light if he gets a contract extension.