1500ESPN MLB analyst Derek Wetmore is at the Winter Meetings in Washington D.C., following the moves with the Minnesota Twins and around Major League Baseball. Follow along as the meetings progress, and feel free to ask your questions on Twitter or Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/derekwetmoreMLB/
We just finished meeting with Brian Dozier, and before that, we talked to Derek Falvey and Thad Levine. Wanted to share some thoughts here before I get working on my columns and podcasts for the night (sorry, bosses!).
Falvey came across as forthright when he said that he valued the contributions Dozier has made and said that the Twins will continue to be as "respectful and honest as we can be" with the star second baseman. Dozier, for his part, said that he wants to be a member of the Twins' turnaround, because he's been here through the bad times, and he said there's a reason he signed that 4-year control a couple winters ago. But he did say that whether it's "good, bad or ugly," he appreciates the Twins being honest with him about the reason that his name keeps popping up in trade rumors. "They'd be crazy not to listen," Dozier said with a smirk.
I wrote a column drawing a straight line down the middle the reasons for and against trading Dozier. Ultimately, I do think it makes the most sense to move him this winter. I also don't think it's mandatory for the Twins to trade him this week. Lay the framework for what a deal might look like, and make some team overwhelm you with an offer. Otherwise, pack up and head home from Washington D.C. with a brain full of ideas for the rest of the winter.
I'll have more on 1500ESPN.com later. And a new Touch 'Em All podcast will post tomorrow!