Hannah Foslien/Getty Images On Saturday, the New York Mets traded closer Jeurys Familia to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for two prospects and international bonus pool money. That deal took one of the bigger names remaining off the trading block, but numerous position players and pitchers are bound to change cities before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Here's a look at the latest news on two second basemen and the most-coveted reliever on the market. Brian Dozier Per ABC 5 Eyewitness News sports anchor and 1500 ESPN Radio host Darren Wolfson, there's some trade chatter surrounding Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier: Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports and The Athletic also said the Milwaukee Brewers are interested in Dozier: Four players (Jonathan Villar, Brad Miller, Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez) have played second base for the Brewers this season. Villar has been there the most (74 games), but he's currently on the 10-day disabled list with a sprained thumb. Prior to the injury, Villar was batting .261 with a .693 OPS. Video Play Button Videos you might like The issue is that none of the four aforementioned players are hitting particularly well this year, so the Brewers may want to find someone with a little more pop at second base. Although he is currently experiencing a down year, Dozier could help in that regard. For the year, the Twins' second baseman has 16 home runs. He only has a so-so .724 OPS this year, but the 31-year-old Dozier sports a .774 OPS lifetime and may experience some positive regression soon. With the Los Angeles Dodgers dealing for Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, the National League pennant race just got much tougher for the senior circuit's other 14 teams. The Brewers should make a move here to try to keep up. Asdrubal Cabrera Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, numerous teams have interest in New York Mets second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera: Putting two and two together, it's clear the Brewers are looking for a second baseman, as they have reported interest in two of the best ones on the trading block. The Arizona Diamondbacks, however, could be a better fit. Cabrera has been a shortstop for most of his career, so he's a capable middle infielder who can handle either position. Second baseman Ketel Marte (nine home runs, .247 batting average, .745 OPS) and shortstop Nick Ahmed (12 home runs, .226 average, .702 OPS) haven't done poorly at the plate this year, but Cabrera (17 home runs, .819 OPS) would be an upgrade over either of them at the dish. It also helps that Cabrera is a switch hitter, as he can replace Ahmed on days Arizona is facing a righty. For the season, Ahmed is managing just a .650 OPS against righties, although his lefty OPS is a solid .800. Against lefties, Cabrera (at second) and Ahmed could handle the middle infield responsibilities. Ultimately, Cabrera is in the midst of a solid two-and-a-half year run where he's posted 54 home runs and an .806 OPS. He should be a strong asset for any team that picks him up prior to the deadline. Zach Britton Per Buster Olney of ESPN, expect Baltimore Orioles reliever Zach Britton to get moved sooner rather than later: A look at the bottom half of the league in bullpen ERA reveals that numerous contenders need some relief help. Of note, the Seattle Mariners (16th), Philadelphia Phillies (17th), Atlanta Braves (19th), St. Louis Cardinals (24th), Colorado Rockies (28th) and Cleveland Indians (29th) are there. The Tribe made some moves for bullpen help recently, so they are likely out of any bidding for Britton, but a desperate team looking for a solid arm may go over the top and give the Orioles an offer they can't refuse. Of note, the Braves look like a very good fit. Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution gave reasoning why: "Arodys Vizcaino is on the disabled list again, and despite converting 15 of 17 save chances, the Braves would benefit from adding another option. A.J. Minter and Dan Winkler have both worked the ninth, but their performances have left room for improvement. "Adding a pitcher such as Britton could help the rest of the unit fall into place. Vizcaino, Minter and Winkler wouldn’t routinely handle the ninth, giving manager Brian Snitker an abundance of options for the late innings." Vizcaino has a sterling 1.65 ERA this season, but he's on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation. It's possible that Vizcaino has complications or doesn't return as effective as he was prior to the injury. Hopefully Vizcaino comes back soon and 100 percent healthy, but if not, Britton would be a huge asset to the Braves bullpen. Atlanta may have an added incentive to obtain Britton: Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported that the Phillies are in the mix. First-place Philadelphia leads second-place Atlanta by just a half-game in the NL East, and if one of those teams gets the O's southpaw, the slight edge likely goes to that squad down the stretch for the division title.<doc-sep>Brewers? Red Sox? Will he stay or will he be traded? The MLB trade deadline is now just eight days away and another team has emerged in the Brian Dozier rumor mill. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Dozier "could be a fit" for the Boston Red Sox. "The Indians' separation in the AL Central will give some space for the Twins to pursue best possible deals for Brian Dozier, and others," said Olney. "Dozier makes sense for Brewers, for sure, and depending on Boston's internal assessment of Dustin Pedroia health, could be a fit for Red Sox." Who could the Twins get from Boston? One name floating around Boston rumor mills is Class A pitching prospect Bryan Mata, who just so happened to be scratched before his scheduled start Saturday. According to Mass Live, Mata was scratched for precautionary reasons and it had nothing to do with him being involved in trade discussions. "Mata, 19, is considered one of Boston's top trade chips with Jay Groome (Tommy John surgery) and Michael Chavis (suspension) sidelined for most of this season. Boston has been linked to plenty of players on the open market and could dangle Mata in talks, though it doesn't appear tonight's decision not to start him is related to an imminent deal." Mata, a 19-year-old right-hander from Venezuela, draws a pretty good review from SoxProspects.com. "Long way to go developmentally, but a very intriguing arm. Has the profile of a potential mid-rotation starting pitcher. Already shows the beginnings of a three-pitch mix and has a projectable frame. Has shown the ability to miss bats with both his fastball and changeup already, though his curveball lags behind. Physical development will be key given how skinny he is at present." The Brewers have also been closely linked to Dozier. Stay tuned, the next week could be filled with Dozier rumors.<doc-sep>Jim Mone/Associated Press After missing out on Baltimore Orioles star Manny Machado, the Milwaukee Brewers will go after Minnesota Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reported Wednesday that Machado was headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for five prospects. Although the Brewers were one of many teams to miss out in the sweepstakes for the shortstop, they're apparently not done targeting talented infielders. Dozier has had an up-and-down 2018 season, hitting .230 with a .314 on-base percentage, although he does have 16 home runs and 48 RBI. His power as a middle infielder is what helps separate him from the pack, tallying 76 home runs combined in 2016 and 2017. He led all second baseman in the category in each of the past two years, earning MVP votes each season. The veteran also took home his first Gold Glove award last season. Adding Dozier—who like Machado is a free agent this winter—could help upgrade a Milwaukee lineup that has been inconsistent at times this season. With second baseman Jonathan Villar also on the disabled list, he could immediately step into the lineup and potentially help the Brewers reach the postseason for the first time since 2011.<doc-sep>Which contending teams will shake up their roster and make a deal before the trade deadline? The All–Star break is officially over as teams start the second half of the season. The race to make moves before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline is two weeks away and teams in the market to pick up a big bat or solidify their starting rotation for a playoff run are making calls around the league. The first domino to fall in the trade market was All–Star shortstop Manny Machado who was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Baltimore Orioles. More trades are expected over the next two weeks as teams shuffle to get into position to make a run at the postseason. Here is the latest news and rumors from around the league: • The Cubs announced that they acquired RHP Jesse Chavez from the Rangers for minor league pitcher Tyler Thomas. (Chicago Cubs) • San Diego Padres closer Brad Hand dealt to the Cleveland Indians. Reliever Adam Cimber is headed to the Indians and catcher Francisco Mejia gets shipped to San Diego. (Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports) • After losing out on Machado, the Milwaukee Brewers are expected to target Twins second baseman Brian Dozier as well as looking at pitching options. (Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports) • All–Star catcher Wilson Ramos may not be back in the lineup before the trade deadline, which may make it harder for the Tampa Bay Rays to trade him. Ramos was placed on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain (Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times) • The Philadelphia Phillies are now targeting Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas and Twins third baseman Eduardo Escobar. (Todd Zolecki, MLB.com). • The market is expected to heat up for Orioles pitcher Zach Britton now that Machado has been traded to the Dodgers. (Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com)<doc-sep>
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 13: Brian Dozier #2 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates scoring a run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning of the game on July 13, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rays 11-8. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) The Minnesota Twins have potentially found a second team to negotiate with for the services of Brian Dozier as the “mystery team” as entered the rumor mix. The Minnesota Twins sat 8.5 games back of the Cleveland Indians going into Saturday nights game against the Kansas City Royals. While there is still plenty of optimism about the club following a good run of winning baseball before the All-Star break. The Twins are in quite the hole and they have players that some contenders are showing interest in as the trade deadline approaches. Earlier this week we learned that the Milwaukee Brewers were one team that has shown interest in Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. John Geiger II wrote in more detail about what might be going on with the Brewers interest in Dozier here. Dozier would still certainly fit very well in the Brewers infield as they look to climb back into the playoff picture. Of course, a right-handed power bat that is defensively sound as a second baseman would help out a few different lineups. Based on comments from Darren Wolfson, one of those other teams is also beginning to show interest in Dozier. We can officially insert the “mystery team” into the running for Brian Dozier. The Los Angeles Dodgers were once a team that lined up well for a trade with the Twins, but now after acquiring Manny Machado they no longer have a need for Dozier. Fellow National League West team the Arizona Diamondbacks could arguably benefit the most from a Dozier addition. He would be an upgrade over both Diamondback middle infielders Ketel Marte and Nick Ahmed. The Boston Red Sox have growingly looked more and more like a team that could benefit from adding Brian Dozier. Their star second baseman Dustin Pedroia will remain out for an undetermined amount of time and very possibly the rest of the season. The Red Sox are not struggling right now, but to add Dozier into the mix with former teammate Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt is the type of move a team with World Series aspirations would like to make. There also happens to be unrest in Red Sox nation as one of their trade chips is being held out of action Saturday. Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata scratched from his start at Hi-A Salem tonight. The reasoning, from one source: "Just precautionary." Team giving Mata a few extra days after he pitched in Futures Game and is having him throw on the side instead. — Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 21, 2018 Even if a team is saying it is precautionary, we never know if that is the truth. For that matter, who knows if the Red Sox would want to include Bryan Mata in a deal for Dozier. It will at least create some interesting conversations on Twitter overnight. Apply to Puckett's Pond. Start your application process by filling out the fields below Right now the Diamondbacks and the Red Sox are who I would guess are the frontrunners to be the mystery team that is interested in Dozier. The on-field fit makes sense and both clubs are in a position to bring in talent to help with what they hope to be an extended playoff run. Only time will tell who the team truly is and if any deal will be made.