Miami Marlins: Brian Dozier will answer if you call… so you should
The Miami Marlins have already made several upgrades to their lineup from last year. Bringing in Brian Dozier would also be wise.
The Miami Marlins have made a flurry of moves this offseason as they try to field a team with some resemblance of having Major League talent. Finishing with a National League-leading 105 losses last season the Marlins are still a long way from looking respectable, let alone competing for a playoff spot. Though as Ryan Sanders eluded to earlier this offseason, low-risk moves may pay big dividends for this team down the road. One more addition the Marlins should make before players report to spring training is bringing in free-agent second baseman Brian Dozier.
If the season started today the Marlins would run Isan Diaz out to second base as the replacement to Starlin Castro, who sought greener pastures by signing in Washington. Diaz has all of forty-nine games playing experience under his belt. He hit .173 while boasting a fielding percentage of .952 in the limited action he saw last year.
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Brian Dozier can slide into this spot and provide a little bit of pop with the bat and a steady hand at second base. Dozier is a former All-Star and Gold Glove winner who is just three seasons removed from hitting forty-two bombs for the Minnesota Twins.
Dozier has played in back-to-back World Series and offers clubhouse mentorship and a veteran presence which would help ease Diaz into his role at second base. The Miami Marlins have already upgraded their infield by acquiring Jonathon Villar via trade and Jesus Aguilar off waivers. A move to solidify second base can also be made at little expense to the cash strapped Marlins.
If Dozier wants to play this year he won’t be requesting the $9 million he was given from the Nationals last year. With spring training around the corner and Dozier still in the unemployment line, he could be had for somewhere in the $2.5 million (what an older 2B Asdrubal Cabrera signed for) to $4.5 million (what a better hitting, more versatile 2B Eric Sogard signed for) range.
A sensible way to un-saturate the MLB postseason. dark. Next
Brian Dozier could provide stability in the early season until Diaz is ready for a more permanent role. Then when a playoff contender goes looking for an extra bat off the bench, Dozier can be had for a low-level mid-range minor leaguer.