Hot Stove Digest: Will Dodgers up the ante to acquire Brian Dozier?

Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a quick recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the internet that we think is worth your time.

WILLING TO PAY: Rumors surrounding a Brian Dozier trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers have been swirling for weeks and may gain some momentum now that the Dodgers are reportedly willing to include a top rated prospect.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Dodgers have shown a willingness to include top pitching prospect Jose De Leon in a potential trade for Dozier, which could tip the scales in their favor should Minnesota go through with moving the slugging second baseman.

[Jeff Passan: Why the future Dodgers are downright scary]

The Twins likely want more, but the 24-year-old right-hander would represent a great starting point in trade talks. He currently ranks second among Dodgers prospects and 33rd overall. Given the Dodgers starting pitching depth and the Twins desire to add young pitching, this is shaping up as a good match unless the Dodgers change their minds. [@JeffPassan]

UNDER CONSIDERATION: They’re not a mystery team anymore, but they would still be a surprising team if they landed free agent Edwin Encarnacion. We’re speaking of the Oakland A’s, who will reportedly give pursuing Encarnacion some thought even though the price would be typically out of their range. [FanRag Sports]

CONSOLATION PRIZE: The Marlins couldn’t land a big fish like Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, but veteran Brad Ziegler is a pretty good consolation prize. He reached a two-year, $16M agreement with the Marlins on Friday. [The Stew]

PLEASE SHARE: Barring a signing or trade, Ryan Rua and Jurickson Profar are expected to share first base duties for the Rangers early in the season. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]

SUSPENSION SPECULATION: Though domestic assault charges against New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia were dropped on Thursday, there’s an expectation that he’ll still receive at least a 30-game suspension from the league. In fact, that seems to be the precedent as Aroldis Chapman also received a 30-game suspension to begin last season after domestic charges were dropped. [New York Daily News]

GAME TIME: Major League Baseball’s new labor agreement will require teams to start scheduling earlier games to accommodate teams traveling on getaway day. The new provision goes into effect in 2018, and must be adhered to when either team faces a flight longer than 2½ hours after the game. [ESPN]

SEQUEL: After dressing up as a Wookiee for last year’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” premiere, Sean Doolittle, along with girlfriend Eireann Dolan, returned as an Imperial Stormtrooper for this year’s “Rogue One” premiere. [Cut 4]

PLAY BALL: Torii Hunter Jr., son of former Major Leaguer Torii Hunter Sr., will forgo his fifth year on the Notre Dame football team to pursue a baseball career. Hunter was a 23rd-round pick by the Angels in June’s draft. [MLB]

DONE DEAL: The Red Sox have avoided arbitration with reliever Brandon Workman. Terms of the deal were not immediately available. [@TimBritton]

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: The Mariners have officially released reliever Arquimedes Caminero, allowing him to pursue a contract with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. [Mariners PR]

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @Townie813