Proposed Trade For Dozier Would Be the Biggest Ever Between the Dodgers and Twins

The two teams have had little in common since they met in the 1965 World Series, a memorable Fall Classic in which game seven was won by a Hall of Fame pitcher who would in two years retire in the prime of his career. That left hander of course was Sandy Koufax, whose Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins to become World Champions.

More than fifty years later, the two clubs find themselves in the headlines again. The Dodgers appear to be close to a deal to acquire All-Star second baseman Brian Dozier from the Twins, a deal that could very well allow Los Angeles to capture the pennant they came just a few games shy of nabbing from the Cubs last year.

If the trade does indeed go through, it will be the biggest deal between the teams in the half century that has passed since they met in the World Series. The Dodgers get a second baseman who will provide much-needed power from the right side, while the rebuilding Twins would get one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball in right hander Jose Deleon.

Previously the biggest trade between Los Angeles and Minnesota involved a former Most Valuable Player and a pitcher who would become a well-respected coach after retirement. Shortstop Zoilo Versailes, who won the MVp the year the Twins faced the Dodgers in the World Series, was traded to Los Angeles two years later along with pitcher Jim Mudcat Grant. In return, Minnesota received pitcher Ron Perranoski, veteran catcher John Roseboro, and reliever Bob Miller.

Here are the five other transactions between the Twins and the Dodgers since they battled during the last seven games of 1965.

On July 31, 2013

Minnesota dealt catcher Drew Butera to Los Angeles for Miguel Subaran. Butera is a key piece of the current team, which is hoping to repeat as champions of the National League West division.

October 22,1971

The Twins sent Bobby Darwin to the Dodgers in exchange for Paul Powell, a transaction that garnered little attention at the time.

March 20,1981

All-Star outfielder Ken Landreaux packed his bags for the West Coast after many seasons in Minnesota, which received outfielder Mickey Hatcher along with minor league players Kelly Snider and Mathew Reeves.

December 23,1975

Minnesota traded outfielder-first baseman Danny Walton to the Dodgers for pitcher Bob Randall.

March 26, 1980

Future World Series manager Ron Washington was traded from Los Angeles to Minnesota, a trade that brought outfielder Wayne Caughey to the Twin Cities.

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