Cashman on Yankees, Dozier rumors: 'That's a false report'

Update - Monday 9:15 PM During an interview with MLB Network radio on Monday afternoon, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman denied Jon Heyman's report of New York's interest in Minnesota Twins' second baseman Brian Dozier. "I haven't had any dialogue with the Twins about Dozier," Cashman said. "That's a false report." According to Derek Wetmore of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities, the Twins have fielded calls for the 29-year-old infielder, but Dozier reportedly wants to stay in Minnesota, despite the apparent trade buzz. “I find it exciting,” Dozier said of trade rumors. “I’m not going to sit here and lie to you and say I don’t look at it and I don’t pay attention to the rumors, because I do. It’s your career, you want to see how other teams value you, as well as the Twins.”   Original post - Monday 3:25 PM As the hot stove burns with MLB's Winter Meetings beginning in Washington D.C. on Monday, the Yankees remain as a sleeping giant this offseason. After signing veteran slugger Matt Holliday to a one-year, $13 million deal on Sunday, it appears as if New York is carefully allocating its resources for hitting and pitching help on the market. But even if Yankees general manager Brian Cashman elects not to make a big splash in free agency, the trade avenue could still be taken. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports and MLB Network, the Yankees have reportedly expressed interest in Minnesota Twins' second baseman Brian Dozier, whose name has been discussed considerably this winter. Per Heyman's report: The Minnesota Twins have made no secret about their willingness to trade star second baseman Brian Dozier, and one team emerging as a possibly-interested partner is the New York Yankees. While their level of interest is unknown, they have checked in on the slugging second baseman. The Los Angeles Dodgers have also expressed interest over the last several weeks. The Yankees don’t necessarily have a need for a second baseman, with Starlin Castro currently manning the position, but Dozier could offer an upgrade, with New York figuring out the logistics later. The Twins’ second baseman is coming off a career-year in which he hit .268/.340/.546 with 42 home runs and 99 RBI. According to baseball-reference, he was worth 6.5 wins last season. He would also come quite cheap, as he’s owed just $15 million over the next two seasons. According to TwinCities.com, Dozier is reportedly traveling to Washington D.C. on Monday due to a marketing commitment with Under Armour, but is expected to meet with the Twins' new general manager Thad Levine for the first time. The 29-year-old has hit 70 home runs in the last two seasons, and has also collected 176 runs batted in.