The Washington Nationals have found their second baseman for 2019, as they’ve agreed to a one-year, $9 million deal with Brian Dozier, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.
Dozier was considered a top-5 second baseman free agent. Washington was combing the market for a suitable replacement for Daniel Murphy, who they traded last summer.
After showing interest in DJ LeMahieu, Jed Lowrie, and Josh Harrison, they worked a deal with Dozier.
Dozier will be 32 years of age this year and spent the first 6 1/2 seasons with the Minnesota Twins before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers last July.
Last season he struggled hitting a career-low .215/.305/.391 in 151 games split between the Twins and Dodgers. That included his .182/.300/.350 he hit in 47 games during his short stint in LA.
Despite the down year at the plate he still was able to power up 21 home runs and 72 RBIs. Washington is hoping to get an offensive boost from the second base position, if Dozier can show a glimpse of his former top form in which he hit collected 76 homes runs and 192 RBIs over a course of two seasons in 2016 and 2017.
If he can, he will complete a pretty formidable offensive infield for the Nationals that includes Anthony Rendon at third, Trea Turner at second, and Ryan Zimmerman at first.
