Milwaukee Brewers: Trade for third base upgrade in the works?
By Kenny Jilek
Young Stars
Hunter Dozier
Hunter Dozier had a breakout season in 2019, playing his first full season in the major leagues, hitting .279 and slugging a fantastic .522. Last year, he totaled 65 extra base hits, including 26 home runs and a league-leading 10 triples. Usually, the league leader in triples is a center fielder or maybe a shortstop who traditionally has more speed, but Dozier has a great combination of power and speed.
Defensively, any way you slice it he’s a negative. No defensive metrics are perfect, but his total zone fielding runs above average, defensive runs saved, and range factor were all below average. He also finished 18th among qualified third basemen in fielding percentage. But, Keston Hiura led all second basemen in errors last year while only playing half the season and we still love him for his bat so why not get another below average fielder with a sweet bat?
Whether the Royals are even willing to trade Dozier is questionable, but they don’t have much need for him. They’re a rebuilding team and he’s 28 years old, so I don’t think he’ll be part of their next championship run. It would at least be worth making a call to see what his price would be.
Brian Anderson
No, I am not suggesting that the Milwaukee Brewers trade for the broadcaster. And yes, I realize that is a terrible joke. Anyway, Anderson is only 26 years old, has four more years of team control counting 2020, and has improved every season he’s been in the majors.
In 2017, he only played in 25 games and played decently well, with an OPS of .706, but not showing much power, not even managing to hit a single home run in 84 at-bats. In 2018, he improved, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, hitting 11 home runs, 34 doubles, and finishing with a .757 OPS. In 2019, he continued to build on that success and added to his power, hitting nine more home runs in 150 less plate appearances, for a total of 20 and slugging .468. This all contributed to an OPS of .811. If this improvement continues, he could be an All-Star this season.
Anderson also improved his defense from year to year and was steadily above average in all the categories that Dozier lacked in. He was also fifth among qualified third basemen in fielding percentage. Obviously, at only 26 years old with team control, he is a great asset for the Marlins, but they traded a top star to us before. Maybe lightning will strike twice for the Milwaukee Brewers with Brian Anderson.