Dunn Drawing Interest

I’ve talked numerous times here on how much Adam Dunn enjoys and wants to continue playing for the Washington Nationals unfortunately for him the calendar is approaching July and the trade rumors are heating up. A report by Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times has the Chicago White Sox and even the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in hot pursuit of the slugger. For all three teams a deal would make plenty of sense.
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When it comes to the Nationals, they have to ask themselves how close they are competing? Yes, they have Stephen Strasburg but that’s not enough pitching. Cowley says that the Nats are looking to build the team with young arms around the phenom, meaning they want to build up their pitching first. Dunn could definitely help add young pitching if dealt to the right team.

Another thing to consider is the cost of resigning Dunn. If the Nats can trade him for a couple young pitchers they’d have more available money when the team comes close to competing. With it being the Nationals, you know that aspect (the money) is definitely a consideration.

If the White Sox were to trade for Dunn it would be huge for the organization. They’re only two games back of the Detroit Tigers and could desperately use a power bat. They’re designated hitter this year has been Mark Kotsay. Yep, you read that right, Mark Kotsay. So you know just by the name they desperately need a DH.

Let’s compare the two lines.

Kotsay – .212 average 6 hr and 16 rbis over 156 at bats in 54 games.
Dunn – .276 average (highest of career) 17 hr and 47 rbis in 272 at bats.

A bat like Dunn’s would be huge in the middle of that lineup and change the entire look of that offense. The real question is this, do the White Sox have the young talent to give up in a deal? Cowley points out that recent trades have left the system pretty void of top prospects.

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And most of the Sox’ highly regarded pitching prospects were dealt in previous trades to acquire Jake Peavy and Juan Pierre.

After right-hander Daniel Hudson, there’s a big drop in the Sox’ system to Carlos Torres and Santos Rodriguez. One movable piece would be third baseman Brent Morel, who seems to be in a logjam behind Dayan Viciedo and the three-year, $14 million extension Williams gave Mark Teahen this winter.

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It’s obvious the White Sox could really use Dunn but the Angels could use him even more. The Angels are 4.5 games back of the Texas Rangers and have a bigger power void themselves. Their leading homerun hitter this year is Mike Napoli with 13, yes Napoli. They’re so desperate for hitting they have Napoli, they’re backup catcher as the starting first baseman. So yea, adding a player like Dunn is something they’ve had to seriously consider.

There’s one major hurdle that both Chicago and Anaheim would have to jump thou and I’m not sure if they can, especially the Sox. Adam Dunn is having a huge season and should easily become a Type A free agent. Once again for those that don’t know what that means, if the Nationals offer arbitration they’ll get two draft picks if he signs elsewhere.

So if the Nationals do trade him they’re going to want comparable talent to the type of draft picks they’d get. Would either team be willing to meet that for a half season rental? Yes, they’d have the chance to get those draft picks if he left but its more of a crap shoot giving their own prospects they already know away.

With Dunn’s love for Washington its conceivably possible that the Nats could trade him get those two prospect and then…. Sign Dunn in the offseason and because of their record would not have to give up their first round pick.