Padres Sign Veteran Infielder Brian Dozier to Minor-League Deal
By Will Coleman
The San Diego Padres are one of the youngest teams in the MLB but they just made a veteran signing in attempt to bolster their infield depth.
Second baseman Brian Dozier agreed to a minor-league deal with the Padres on Sunday after finishing out his one-year contract with the World Series-winning Washington Nationals.
Sources: #Padres in agreement with free-agent infielder Brian Dozier.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 23, 2020
Last season the 32-year old managed to bat .238 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI across 135 games with Washington.
Playing for his fourth team in the last three seasons, Dozier will join the Padres at Spring Training in Arizona. While San Diego is more than confident in first baseman Eric Hosmer, shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. and third baseman Manny Machado, the competition for second base is still wide open.
Brian Dozier signed with the Padres on a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training.
— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) February 23, 2020
Jurickson Profar currently tops San Diego's depth chart at second base. Sounds like they view Dozier as a potential part-timer, at least initially. He still hit lefties well last year.
While Jurickson Profar is likely the Padres' Opening Day starter at second base, don't be surprised if they give Dozier a chance to make a few starts early in the season.
The Padres aren't anticipating Dozier to return to his past 40-homer form, but there's a real chance he snag the second base role from Profar's clutches with a strong showing in Spring Training.