Dodgers Rumors: Minnesota Twins Interested in Brock Stewart

The Minnesota Twins like Dodgers pitcher Brock Stewart, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press. The news isn’t surprising considering the Twins’ need for controllable pitching. Los Angeles has a surplus of pitching depth and Stewart is one of the more attractive pieces.

Given the pitching glut in the Dodgers organization, Stewart could be expendable. Los Angeles has reportedly been in hot pursuit of Twins slugging second baseman Brian Dozier, meaning Stewart’s name has likely come up in negotiations.

#mntwins grabbed former 2012 6th rounder Justin Haley in Rule 5 drft. Another 6th rounder (2014) on their radar: #Dodgers RHP Brock Stewart.

— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 8, 2016

Berardino acknowledges it would take more for L.A. to acquire Dozier, but he elaborated on Stewart’s history and why Minnesota is intrigued by the right-hander.

Dozier fills the Dodgers’ desperate need of a right-handed power bat in the middle of the order. After sub-par seasons from current free agent Chase Utley and now-Phillie Howie Kendrick, the team’s incumbent starter at second base is Kike Hernandez, so Dozier would be an astronomical upgrade.

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It’s a seller’s market, so the price for Dozier is expected to be steep. Including an MLB-ready starter, such as Stewart, would make sense for both parties. Los Angeles has depth to work with and Stewart projects outside the rotation in 2017. For Minnesota, it would add an immediate contributor in an area of need while strengthening the farm with whatever additional talent L.A. sends in a deal. Stewart wouldn’t headline a Dozier trade, but he serves as an appealing asset in negotiations.

[graphiq id=”b7uXPpPnci1″ title=”Brock Stewart 2016 Complete Pitching Splits” width=”600″ height=”797″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/b7uXPpPnci1″ ]

Stewart appeared in seven games for the Dodgers in 2016. He collected a 5.79 ERA in 28 innings, but flashed enough to show he could develop into a mid-rotation starter. Dozier had a career-year for the Twins with 42 home runs and 99 RBI. He also stole 18 bases, making him an even greater asset to a Dodger team in need of more swiping.

Do you think the Dodgers would make this move?

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