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Washington Nationals find their second baseman in Brian Dozier

By Nate Palmer

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Brian Dozier #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single to left field during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 16: Brian Dozier #6 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single to left field during the first inning of Game Four of the National League Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on October 16, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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The Washington Nationals are hoping a knee injury is all that derailed Brian Dozier in 2018 as he is set to become their 2019 starting second baseman.

The Washington Nationals, as reported by Jeff Passan, have reportedly found their second baseman for 2019 agreeing to a 1 year, $9 million deal with former Twin and Dodger Brian Dozier. After employing Daniel Murphy from 2016 through the middle of 2018 the Nationals are getting another potential good power bat to play at second base for them.

The Washington Nationals are certainly hoping to see a rebound from Dozier from what was a down year for the 31-year-old. After being one of the best hitting second basemen in all of baseball from 2014-2017, Dozier revealed late in the season that a knee injury contributed to his struggles in 2018. Dozier dropped down to a slash line of .215/.305/.391 but still managed 21 home runs as he split time between the Twins and Dodgers.

Dozier will likely never be a player that hits for a high average with his career high being .271 in 2017. What made him so dangerous as a hitter was his power which produced an OPS over .850 in both 2016 and 2017. When healthy Dozier can also hang around 30 home runs and even has a 42 home run season under his belt from 2016.

Defensively the Nationals are acquiring a former Gold Glove second baseman. The legitimacy of that award can certainly come under scrutiny and while Dozier’s glove certainly won’t provide a ton of value for the Nationals. It shouldn’t hurt them either.

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Defensive metrics are not kind to Dozier with his best defensive season coming in 2016 when he produced a +3 DRS, 3.9 UZR, and 3.4 UZR/150. What Dozier gives the Nationals is someone who will make all the routine plays and every once in a while will come up with a spectacular one.

Dozier isn’t being signed for his defense. The Nationals are hoping to see those power numbers return as Dozier returns to health. In 2017 along with his 34 home runs Dozier had a 125 wRC+ and in 2016 a 132 wRC+ with his 42 home runs. With Bryce Harper‘s bat potentially exiting the lineup a return to that form from Dozier could very much help the Nationals in 2019 compete in what looks like a tough NL East.

In a market that is full of second base talent, the Nationals ended up with Dozier on a short term and lower salary deal. Something that will certainly help the Nationals as they attempt to avoid luxury tax. To further limit the effect that Dozier has on the 2019 payroll, $2 million of his $9 million is being deferred.

Next. Next moves for those who miss out on Harper. dark

While there are other second baseman still available that had better seasons in 2018 such has DJ LeMahieu and Jed Lowrie. Dozier and the Washington Nationals are a very good match for one another and both are hoping to see Dozier return to turning on pitches that are launched over the left field fence routinely as they both look for a return to the playoffs in 2019.

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