Twins extend second baseman Brian Dozier on four-year deal

The Minnesota Twins announced the signing of second baseman Brian Dozier to a four-year extension today. 

The extension is worth $20 million, with Dozier earning $2 million this season, $3 million in 2016, $6 million in 2017, and $9 million in 2018. The deal does not include any no-trade clauses, the Twins noted during their press conference today. 

Dozier was projected to be a free agent following the 2018 season regardless, so this extension just buys out his arbitration seasons. He comes into 2015 with two-years, 100 days of service time, and wasn't projected to reach arbitration until next year. 

The 27-year-old Dozier continues to play solid in the middle of the Twins lineup, hitting .242/.345/.416 over 707 plate appearances last season, swiping 21 bags and hitting 23 home runs. Dozier was worth 4.8 fWAR last season, good for fifth in the American League, trailing just Ben Zobrist, Robinson Cano, Ian Kinsler, and Jose Altuve. 

The Twins acquired Dozier via the First Player Draft, selecting him in the 8th round of the 2009 draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He broke into the big leagues as a shortstop in 2012, but since 2013, he has been their second baseman. 

As for his agents at All Bases Covered Sports Management, they did fairly well as compared to other extensions of second basemen between 2-3 years of service. Most recent was Jason Kipnis, who signed a six-year, $52 million deal and Matt Carpenter, who signed a six-year, $52 million pact as well. Both these deals come with more money than Dozier's, but also bought out free agent years.

--Devan Fink

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