Feb

11

Adam Dunn Still Not On A Baseball Team

Posted by SL

February 11, 2009 |

There’s still more than a handful of big name free agents available as we inch closer to Spring Training.  Most of the names that are still being bandied about are homeless with good cause.  Ken Griffey Jr. is old, and well past his prime.  Ben Sheets has elbow issues that will likely sideline him for half of the season.  Bobby Abreu is a superstar on the decline who was seeking well beyond what the market will bear.

The absence of Adam Dunn on a Major League roster at this point makes little sense.

It’s not as though teams are unsure of what Dunn brings to the table.  The 6′6″ “Big Donkey” has been one of the game’s most consistent performers over the last five seasons.  Sure, a batting average of .250 or higher would be a bonus and he’s going to strike out a tonne, but there’s no argument about the power numbers.

Dunn is the only player in Major League Baseball to have hit at least 40 home runs in each of the last five seasons.  His lowest RBI total during that span was 92, and his career .381 OBP isn’t so shabby either. Consider that his best seasons came on some pretty weak Cincinnati Reds’ teams and it’s not hard to imagine how those RBI totals may have faired with a little more protection in the lineup.

With apparently at least two offers out there to sit on (Washington and Arizona), Dunn’s days as a free agent may be numbered.  He probably could have commanded astronomical dollars had this been any other off-season, but it’s more likely that he’ll accept a discounted short-term deal and do his usual ball-bashing until the market picks itself up.

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Comments

3 Comments so far

  1. Blando Calrissian on February 11, 2009 12:17 pm

    Adam Dunn can straight up mash…I don’t know why teams don’t table him even a one year offer as he’s gonna pound ball and drive in runs for whoever he plays for…batting average is overrated when your job is to be a middle of the lineup guy whose only job is to drive in runs…he’s definitely not gonna be on your team to set the table

  2. SL on February 11, 2009 1:01 pm

    It seems like the pay-cut is the issue. He made $13,000,000 last season, and apparently his best offer so far this off-season is somewhere in the $5,000,000 range.
    He is one of the most consistent boppers in the league for sure, if he makes contact it’s probably going to the seats. I know this because I’m pretty sure we share the same left-handed uppercut swing.

  3. Joe on February 28, 2009 3:33 pm

    Nice to see old Leatherpants give Dunner a deal. I’m a big fan of his, will miss him in Cincy…

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