Nationals sign second baseman Brian Dozier

Ben Krimmel

January 10, 2019 - 10:51 am

Nationals_Brian_Dozier — Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

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Nationals

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a deal with free agent second baseman Brian Dozier.

The Nats have signed Dozier to a one-year deal worth $9 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Free agent second baseman Brian Dozier is in agreement with the Washington Nationals on a one-year, $9 million deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 10, 2019

The Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty reported $2 million of the deal will be defferred.

Source: $2 million of Brian Dozier's one-year, $9 million deal will be deferred by the Nationals. That would not help the team stay under the competitive balance tax for this year, but it does mean the Nats spend a bit less money in the moment.
— Jesse Dougherty (@dougherty_jesse) January 10, 2019

Dozier, an AL all-star in 2015, hit 21 home runs and knocked in 72 RBIs last season while splitting time with the Twins and Dodgers. However, he struggled in 47 games in the National League in 2018 with a .182/.300/.350 slash line and a 77 OPS+.

The Nats hope Dozier can return to his 2015-2017 form when he averaged 35 HRs and 90 RBIs while putting up a .258/.335/.496. slash line and a 122 OPS+ over three seasons.

Dozier is also quite durable at second base, he's played 147 games or more in each of the last six season, and won a Gold Glove in 2017.