The Minnesota Twins have potentially found a second team to negotiate with for the services of Brian Dozier as the “mystery team” as entered the rumor mix.
The Minnesota Twins sat 8.5 games back of the Cleveland Indians going into Saturday nights game against the Kansas City Royals. While there is still plenty of optimism about the club following a good run of winning baseball before the All-Star break. The Twins are in quite the hole and they have players that some contenders are showing interest in as the trade deadline approaches.
Earlier this week we learned that the Milwaukee Brewers were one team that has shown interest in Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. John Geiger II wrote in more detail about what might be going on with the Brewers interest in Dozier here. Dozier would still certainly fit very well in the Brewers infield as they look to climb back into the playoff picture.
Of course, a right-handed power bat that is defensively sound as a second baseman would help out a few different lineups. Based on comments from Darren Wolfson, one of those other teams is also beginning to show interest in Dozier. We can officially insert the “mystery team” into the running for Brian Dozier.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers were once a team that lined up well for a trade with the Twins, but now after acquiring Manny Machado they no longer have a need for Dozier. Fellow National League West team the Arizona Diamondbacks could arguably benefit the most from a Dozier addition. He would be an upgrade over both Diamondback middle infielders Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed.
The Boston Red Sox have growingly looked more and more like a team that could benefit from adding Brian Dozier. Their star second baseman Dustin Pedroia will remain out for an undetermined amount of time and very possibly the rest of the season. The Red Sox are not struggling right now, but to add Dozier into the mix with former teammate Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt is the type of move a team with World Series aspirations would like to make.
There also happens to be unrest in Red Sox nation as one of their trade chips is being held out of action Saturday.
Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata scratched from his start at Hi-A Salem tonight. The reasoning, from one source: "Just precautionary." Team giving Mata a few extra days after he pitched in Futures Game and is having him throw on the side instead.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 21, 2018
Even if a team is saying it is precautionary, we never know if that is the truth. For that matter, who knows if the Red Sox would want to include Bryan Mata in a deal for Dozier. It will at least create some interesting conversations on Twitter overnight.
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Right now the Diamondbacks and the Red Sox are who I would guess are the frontrunners to be the mystery team that is interested in Dozier. The on-field fit makes sense and both clubs are in a position to bring in talent to help with what they hope to be an extended playoff run. Only time will tell who the team truly is and if any deal will be made.