I have stated before that I don't think the Twins will make a trade this week. But that doesn't mean they aren't working on one.
According to sources, there are still multiple teams that have spoken to the Twins about power-hitting second baseman Brian Dozier. That includes the Dodgers, who have been interested in him for months.
What we know is that the Twins want a good package for Dozier, and appear willing to write him in as their Opening Day second baseman if they don't like what they are offered. Both CBO Derek Falvey and GM Thad Levine have made that clear recently. There doesn't seem to be any concern that Dozier's value might never as high as it is now. That's why I'm skeptical that something could get done by the time the teams check out of the hotel tomorrow. But it only takes one phone call.
My sense is that the Twins will continue to listen to teams after the winter meetings.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman met Falvey on Tuesday, but I was told this morning that the Yankees are not one of the teams interested in Dozier. Perhaps the sides were just checking on if they matched up elsewhere.
Manager Paul Molitor met with the media today, and he talked about what it's like to deal with Falvey and Thad Levine after dealing with Terry Ryan through the years.
"You got a guy like Terry who did it for so long, you know what that's like," Molitor said. "And it hasn't been dramatically different, but they have a little different way they're operating.
"But I like the energy and there is certainly a lot of high baseball IQ there. We're just trying to continue to find ways to get on the same page, how we want to address short-term for '17 and their main goal is long-term competitive, hopefully championship-type baseball. I've enjoyed it, looking forward to seeing where it goes.
