Brian Dozier blasts San Diego Padres organization

Brian Dozier may not be with the San Diego Padres any longer, but that will not stop him from causing intrigue about the organization.

Brian Dozier‘s time with the San Diego Padres is not going to make his personal highlight reel once his playing career has come to an end. He had signed a minor league deal with the team on February 23, presumably with a chance to earn the starting job at second. However, he was released on July 11, one week ahead of his opt-out date.

Although he signed a deal with the Mets on July 22, and has already been brought to the majors, Dozier still had some thoughts about his stint with the Padres, even if he refused to elaborate.

One can certainly understand Dozier’s frustrations. He had seemingly been in a battle with Jurickson Profar for the starting role, and may have had the advantage given the power still in his bat. However, when Jorge Mateo was acquired, someone had to go. For the Padres, that was Dozier.

One has to wonder what the conversations were prior to his being let go. Those are known only to the organization and Dozier, who is refusing to elaborate on the reason why he called his brief tenure in San Diego a debacle.

Dozier is not the player he once was. From 2014 through 2017, he was one of the premier power hitting second basemen, producing a 120 OPS+ while hitting 127 homers and stealing 67 bases. However, injuries hindered him in 2018, and his role decreased with the Nationals as the season went on in 2019.

There is still some pop in his bat. Dozier, even though he has been hampered by injury, has hit 41 homers and 50 doubles in 1114 plate appearances over the past two seasons. The batting eye is still there. With another year removed from his injury woes, Dozier could be healthy and ready to return to form.

Presumably, a healthy Brian Dozier could have helped the San Diego Padres. Instead, that brief union ended in acrimony, even if Dozier will not explain why beyond a lack of communication.