If anything, it will help them, since Dozier's contract is under valued. They will need to shed some $ after next season, but they really do not have much commitment after 2018, and in 2018, other than Kershaw, Gonzales, Kasmir, & McCarthy are the issues. Can they flip one of them after next season? Maybe. 2017 payroll does not matter to them really. Another tactic they can use is to take on bad contracts that expire after 2017. That might be kind of an opportunity for the Twins to flip someone like Santiago for someone like Ryu who is due a bit less than $8M in each of 2017 and 2018, so the Dodgers can save $8M in 2018 and the Twins can end up getting a better pitcher than Santiago for the next 2 seasons. Same with Puig who is owed $8.2 and $9.2 M the next 2 seasons. Can the Twins trade someone like Park (due $9M the next 3 seasons, $8M savings for the Dodgers) for him? Maybe, if they add someone. Does it make sense for the Twins to do it? I dunno...