Brian Dozier: I feel great

[Platoon]

I know I have said this before, and will again. You have two choices of BD. The one you see now who will hit an occasional inside mistake for a down the line double or a 341' HR. Or, the Dozier who could possibly hit in the high 260's with some gap doubles and be a decent baserunner. And while I personally think he is defensively overrated, he is still adequate there. But you will never have the power to RF, it's not there, and I am not sure you will ever see him reinvent himself here. He might somewhere else after a trade, when the handwriting on the wall, is clearer, and the bench becomes more of a real possibility. It certainly will not be here.

[Vanimal46]

 

Cue the quotes from the extend Gibson thread about 2 months ago. Oh my.

Is it possible to field a 40 man roster on 1 year contracts? I think that's the best bet going forward. 

[Jham]

I remember Dozier saying he'd "figured something out" with how pitchers were attacking him that allowed him to hit for more power.  Basically, he'd picked up some sort of tell that allowed him to open up his hips and drive balls out to left.  Now the league has adjusted, and Dozier is in utter denial.  Maybe he did pick up on something initially, but the arrogance of proclaiming he found his own way to hit has caught up with and surpassed him now.  Funny how the Leagues have a way of doing that to players.

[nicksaviking]

 

Don't you worry about the Twins track record with regards to players on contracts? I don't see us having an 6-9m bench utility player in 2018/2019

Funny that you accurately point out that we don't need the cost savings. And here is Anthony speaking to "cost-certainty"

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/114591020/twins-brian-dozier-signs-4-year-20-million-contract

 

Dozier was already on a contract, that didn't change, the team had him for the exact same amount of time they normally would have. Anthony can say all he wants about cost certainty, this team was never going to approach any kind of salary ceiling in the next three years.

 

The only thing that has stopped the Twins from having three costly starter-turned bullpen arms the past two years was injury and dumb luck. Otherwise the Twins would have done just that with Pelfrey, Nolasco and Hughes.

 

I didn't want Dozier extended, I could just care less if they overpay him.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

There was a good chunk of us that thought it was too soon and unnecessary, but the board had routine threads suggesting we extend him.  

 

The issue I have here is an example where this worked well and we ignore:  Denard Span.  Span wasn't a unique talent.  He was good.  He was locked up to a reasonable contract, and as such was valuable.  There's risk associated with these moves, I get that, but I don't think the org so be so risk averse that they don't take them.  The idea that Polanco (who as pretty bad last year in the minors) would come up and outperform Dozier was at best weak, and I don't think anyone here wanted to rely on Beresford or Michael either.  Yeah, that contract seems to suck right now, but I'm not so certain that I'd be against that type or risk.

[tobi0040]

Dozier was already on a contract, that didn't change, the team had him for the exact same amount of time they normally would have. Anthony can say all he wants about cost certainty, this team was never going to approach any kind of salary ceiling in the next three years.

 

The only thing that has stopped the Twins from having three costly starter-turned bullpen arms the past two years was injury and dumb luck. Otherwise the Twins would have done just that with Pelfrey, Nolasco and Hughes.

 

I didn't want Dozier extended, I could just care less if they overpay him.

Just so I understand. You don't think Nolasco's contract has bought him a ton of starts? I think he was making 500k a year going year to year he would likely have been DFA'd. If Dozier was making 800k, it is certainly a lot more conceivable that he would at least be rotating with Polanco not to mention he would have more trade value.

[tobi0040]

The issue I have here is an example where this worked well and we ignore: Denard Span. Span wasn't a unique talent. He was good. He was locked up to a reasonable contract, and as such was valuable. There's risk associated with these moves, I get that, but I don't think the org so be so risk averse that they don't take them. The idea that Polanco (who as pretty bad last year in the minors) would come up and outperform Dozier was at best weak, and I don't think anyone here wanted to rely on Beresford or Michael either. Yeah, that contract seems to suck right now, but I'm not so certain that I'd be against that type or risk.

As far as I can tell Span is alone on that side of the ledger. But they got FA years out of it so it makes more sense. However we saved a few million at a time we were shedding payroll like crazy

 

On the other side you have Blackburn, Baker, Dozier, Perkins, and Hughes. I would just hope we consider all the risks in the future before doing this.

[TheLeviathan]

 

The issue I have here is an example where this worked well and we ignore:  Denard Span.  Span wasn't a unique talent.  He was good.  He was locked up to a reasonable contract, and as such was valuable.  There's risk associated with these moves, I get that, but I don't think the org so be so risk averse that they don't take them.  The idea that Polanco (who as pretty bad last year in the minors) would come up and outperform Dozier was at best weak, and I don't think anyone here wanted to rely on Beresford or Michael either.  Yeah, that contract seems to suck right now, but I'm not so certain that I'd be against that type or risk.

 

You didn't have to give him that extra money to stop Beresford, Michael, or Polanco from playing.  Brian Dozier was a Twin until he was 32 and his contract was going to be decided based on his production within a pretty controlled framework.  Instead, we guaranteed him a bunch of money regardless of production several years before it was necessary.

 

Did that work, kind of, once?  I guess.  Maybe.  At best the reward was going to be what?  Slightly better trade value?  A couple million in savings?  And the downside?  You're looking at it.  

[blindeke]

 

Yeah I agree... I'm also starting to think that Dozier at the plate is a poor choice for executing the hit and run.

 

Molitor is way too fond of the hit-and-run. I keep seeing him calling it and it backfiring.

[tobi0040]

You didn't have to give him that extra money to stop Beresford, Michael, or Polanco from playing. Brian Dozier was a Twin until he was 32 and his contract was going to be decided based on his production within a pretty controlled framework. Instead, we guaranteed him a bunch of money regardless of production several years before it was necessary.

 

Did that work, kind of, once? I guess. Maybe. At best the reward was going to be what? Slightly better trade value? A couple million in savings? And the downside? You're looking at it.

Exactly. If we were a team that could absorb bad contracts and were willing to field the best team regardless of contract commitment than it wouldnt be so bad. But we aren't.

 

You have to assume many players in this league are not going to be healthy in 2-3 years. Others are going to flame out. Of the 6-7 guys we have signed early, all but Span fall into either or both category. So my golden rule is you don't even consider this for guys that are not top talent, may break the bank one day types. Kyle Gibson? Never going to be a $20m pitcher and has already had TJ. Controlled past his prime. Not a chance. Blackburn, Baker? Oh yippee.

 

Sano. Maybe. Still can buy out FA years while he is young. Just assume he will be a DH and make sure the numbers make sense. I would still wait a year before thinking about it.

[Guest]

Brian Dozier appears to be a bright, likable, hard-working guy who figured out how to maximize his talents enough to become one of the most valuable players in baseball for a couple years. Unfortunately, now it appears that the only two people in Major League Baseball who haven't realized the pitchers have figured him out are BD himself and his manager. As far as seeing this coming, Fangraphs wrote about it when he got his extension and said they did not expect it to end well for the Twins. As far as the management strategy, it's fine, but people do need to execute it well. If someone (TR) repeatedly has a bad outcome when executing an acceptable strategy, that person should be replaced.

[David HK]

 

Yeah I agree... I'm also starting to think that Dozier at the plate is a poor choice for executing the hit and run.

Heh... although "execute" in a slightly different context might still be apropos.

[David HK]

 

I remember Dozier saying he'd "figured something out" with how pitchers were attacking him that allowed him to hit for more power.  Basically, he'd picked up some sort of tell that allowed him to open up his hips and drive balls out to left.  Now the league has adjusted, and Dozier is in utter denial.  Maybe he did pick up on something initially, but the arrogance of proclaiming he found his own way to hit has caught up with and surpassed him now.  Funny how the Leagues have a way of doing that to players.

That's why I still have some faith in the guy.  He was able to battle his way to the majors, and even succeed for a time.  But the guys who keep on succeeding have to keep making the same kinds of adjustments over time.  It seems like he made his one and only tweak, hit the heck out of the ball, then the pitchers adjusted, and now he seems like he's not even trying to make a counter-move.  Then add to that, a manager who keeps plugging him in to crucial lineup spots, and there you go.  Another ingredient in this ridiculous Klown Kar of a season.

 

[jimmer]

 

That's why I still have some faith in the guy.  He was able to battle his way to the majors, and even succeed for a time.  But the guys who keep on succeeding have to keep making the same kinds of adjustments over time.  It seems like he made his one and only tweak, hit the heck out of the ball, then the pitchers adjusted, and now he seems like he's not even trying to make a counter-move.  Then add to that, a manager who keeps plugging him in to crucial lineup spots, and there you go.  Another ingredient in this ridiculous Klown Kar of a season.

We have like 5, 6 guys who should be batting 7th or lower.  If Dozier was where eh should be, others would be where they shouldn't be.  This offense is horrible. LAST in the AL in scoring going into today. If not for great sequencing last year, people would have noticed that it was horrible last year too.  

 

This team decided to forego defense and OBP.  We are seeing the results.

[David HK]

 

We have like 5, 6 guys who should be batting 7th or lower.  If Dozier was where eh should be, others would be where they shouldn't be.  This offense is horrible. LAST in the AL in scoring going into today. If not for great sequencing last year, people would have noticed that it was horrible last year too.  

 

This team decided to forego defense and OBP.  We are seeing the results.

We have 2 guys in Roch who can play 2nd- Beresford and Polanco, who are in the .380s in OBP, but somehow, our #3 hitter who's having a nightmare of a year, doesn't sit, or get moved down in the order, or get optioned to get down and help himself get right.  They just don't get it.

 

Pfft.

 

Ryan and Molly both need to go.

[jimmer]

 

We have 2 guys in Roch who can play 2nd- Beresford and Polanco, who are in the .380s in OBP, but somehow, our #3 hitter who's having a nightmare of a year, doesn't sit, or get moved down in the order, or get optioned to get down and help himself get right.  They just don't get it.

 

Pfft.

 

Ryan and Molly both need to go.

I hear ya, but I'm not sure either of those players' OBP would stay that high in the majors.  I'd like to see Polanco try though.

[David HK]

 

I hear ya, but I'm not sure either of those players' OBP would stay that high in the majors.  I'd like to see Polanco try though.

True, but I wouldn't expect them to.  Beresford, in particular, deserves to have a shot- he's been a solid, and consistently improving player with a ton of AAA games under his belt- he could surely spell BD during a trip to Rochester to figure things out.  And Polanco could stay down and play every day, cuz Molly surely isn't going to let him do that up here.  That's my solution right now- send BD down, bring up Beresford, and keep riding that wave until either one of them hits his way back in the other direction.  

[LaBombo]

 

Heh... although "execute" in a slightly different context might still be apropos.

 

The ghost of John McKay likes this.

 

 

[strumdatjaguar]

Another tough day at the ballpark today against the "You can call me" Rays.  At least all those kids wearing their free Rosario jerseys were oblivious.  Dozier batting second again!!! Why????????????????????

[Primetime82]

Dozier just stinks. Get rid of the guy already. How can you constantly try and pull the ball over and over and over and over...YUCK! Black Jack just owned him all weekend, it was priceless entertainment!! Thank god I rarely watch this **** show. And WTF is he doing batting anywhere near the top of the lineup??? Do people really get paid big bucks to make these decisions???

[twinssporto]

 

Apparently Brian hasn't reached rock bottom yet. 

 

Bench time might help that along. 

Well said Brian.  At it's core this is simply a management issue.  Nothing more nothing less.  When I have an employee with issues they get addressed (wish I did that sooner sometimes).  In this case addressing the issue could mean a few of the following options in order of severity....in my humble opinion:

 

1.  Dropped lower in the lineup.  Bat this guy number 7, 8 or 9.

 

2.  Benched and let another play for him while he gets his head screwed on straight

 

3.  AAA

 

4.  Your fired or traded

 

I'm just a small business owner trying to get by in this big world but why wouldn't you treat this guy any different than the way we're all graded by our managers, bosses, spouses, etc.?  I'm always in favor of giving someone the benefit of the doubt for awhile but that time is up.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Why is Dozier still hitting third? That is the better question, in my opinion.

 

Dozier has gotten some big hits in the past, so of course he thinks he should be hitting third.

 

Disclaimer: I am still a Dozier fan. I definitely want all of my players thinking they should be hitting third every night. I also want every starting pitcher to think he is going to pitch a complete game tonight. I also hope Jepsen thinks he should still be closer. 

 

More importantly, we need a manager who knows when to intervene and make substitutions. Like not keep letting Dozier hit 2nd or 3rd, or continue using Jepsen as closer when other guys could be auditioning. 

 

[nytwinsfan]

In completely unrelated news, Jorge Polanco is currently batting .320/.373/.536 (.909) as a 23 year old at AAA.

[Mr. Brooks]

In completely unrelated news, Jorge Polanco is currently batting .320/.373/.536 (.909) as a 23 year old at AAA.

A 23 old in his last option year, whose parent club has the worst record in baseball.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

In completely unrelated news, Jorge Polanco is currently batting .320/.373/.536 (.909) as a 23 year old at AAA.

Yeah, in the post right above yours I originally included a long diatribe on how Polanco should have been playing 2B for Dozier when Escobar went on the DL. But the Delete key saved me once again