Nationals, Bowden Making Run at Dunn

[reds44]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7050210

 

It's no secret that Nationals general manager Jim Bowden covets Reds left fielder Adam Dunn — and no surprise that the Nats are pursuing Dunn, according to major-league sources.

 

Whether the Nationals can obtain Dunn is another question.

One, they will face competition from other clubs in the trade market as the non-waiver deadline draws closer.

 

Two, they might not be willing to meet the Reds' price, assuming the Reds even like their prospects.

 

And three, they would be risking a mere rental of Dunn, who will become a free agent at the end of the season if he is traded.

 

While a trade does not appear close, the Reds have scouted the Nationals' most talented minor-league club, Class A Potomac.

 

Bowden, who was the Reds' GM when the team drafted Dunn in 1998, probably thinks that if he can get Dunn to D.C., he can talk him into signing long-term.

 

Dunn, 28, would be the centerpiece of the Nationals' rebuilding program as they move into their new ballpark next season — and heaven knows that the Nats, last in the majors with 59 home runs, need the power.

 

Then again, after spending his entire career playing for losing teams in Cincinnati, Dunn might prefer to join an established contender.

 

In the worst-case scenario, if Bowden failed to sign Dunn long-term, the Nats would receive two high draft picks when he departed as a free agent.

 

It is not clear which other contenders are interested in Dunn. The Twins and Angels are among those looking for offense, and the Yankees and Red Sox always monitor the availability of big-name talent. The Padres, who have had past interest in Dunn, are more focused on improving their bench and adding depth to their rotation.

 

[Mephistopheles]

You cant post full articles. Anyways this is stupid.

[Flames24Rulz]

What a stupid move that would be for the Nationals. First, he would seriously trade some of his best prospects for a guy who is going to be a Free Agent after the year? Dunn is good and all, but they have way too many other sports to fill besides an outfield spot. And Bowden seriously thinks he is going to be able to re-sign Dunn in the offseason? That would have Soriano Part II written all over it.

 

Once again, it pays to stay sober on the job.

[reds44]

You cant post full articles. Anyways this is stupid.

Open the link, it's not a full article.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

[Flames24Rulz]

Anyway, there's a more important rumor in that very same article.

 

White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, 13-for-42 with four homers since the All-Star break, appears a good bet to be traded; he can veto deals to only four clubs, and the interest in him is rising. The Indians and Red Sox are among the teams that have inquired, and the Cubs also would be a logical fit. The White Sox aren't afraid to trade Dye within the division or to their cross-town rival, but according to one club they are looking for an elite prospect in return . . .

 

Well if we can't land Griffey or Dunn, Dye or Sosa would be the next best alternative as far as a power bat that we could use in the OF. If we don't have to give up too much, I'd be all for it. I should also add that the elite prospect wouldn't be someone like Pie/Patterson/Murton/Gallagher in a deal that would include Dye.

Edited July 23, 2007 by Flames24Rulz

[reds44]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

[Mephistopheles]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

It's very likely that he will. Anyways its still stupid all the way around. There's no way he signs there long term unless they give him Sori money.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

hahaha, an elite prospect for Dye and his expiring contract, .284 OBP, and .715 OPS? Where do I sign up?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

You cant post full articles. Anyways this is stupid.

 

stop changing your user name all the time

[rickrolled]

go away Nationals, only the Cobs can have Dunn.

[reds44]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

True. However Dunn loves Bowden, and with the Nationals moving into a new park I don't think it would be too hard for them to work out an extension.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

hahaha, an elite prospect for Dye and his expiring contract, .284 OBP, and .715 OPS? Where do I sign up?

 

If they think Dopirak is an elite prospect, I'd do Dopirak for Dye. :)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

True. However Dunn loves Bowden, and with the Nationals moving into a new park I don't think it would be too hard for them to work out an extension.

 

You may be right, but that extension would need to be worked out in the 72-hour window. If not, Bowden would be incredibly stupid to just take a chance on it.

[Mephistopheles]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

True. However Dunn loves Bowden, and with the Nationals moving into a new park I don't think it would be too hard for them to work out an extension.

 

Theo has lots of cash. Theo could use a bat. Theo loves the OBP. Cashman has lots of cash. Cashman could use a 1B. Cashman loves the OBP.

[Flames24Rulz]

hahaha, an elite prospect for Dye and his expiring contract, .284 OBP, and .715 OPS? Where do I sign up?

 

If they think Dopirak is an elite prospect, I'd do Dopirak for Dye. :)

 

Sounds good :D

 

I don't know what Williams is exactly thinking here. Dye is a FA after this year anyway. You have to move him now before you end up with absolutely nothing. And based on his potential from last season and his HR totals from this season (on a bum quad), there will definitely be teams that are interested in him. You're not going to get a top of the line prospect for Dye, so he can stop thinking that.

 

How about Neal Cotts :wink:

[reds44]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

True. However Dunn loves Bowden, and with the Nationals moving into a new park I don't think it would be too hard for them to work out an extension.

 

Theo has lots of cash. Theo could use a bat. Theo loves the OBP. Cashman has lots of cash. Cashman could use a 1B. Cashman loves the OBP.

And what is your point?

 

Also, there have been published reports about the Yankees not wanting Dunn.

[reds44]

Unless they are allowed to negotiate an extension with Dunn, this would be a dumb move. Which is to say, I expect Bowden to do it.

 

If he covets Dunn so much (which makes sense to me), why not just sign him when he becomes a FA.

What if he doesn't become a free agent?

 

That was why I said, unless they allowed to negotiate an extension.

 

Sure it's not a dumb move if they can negotiate an extension. But to give up players without that assurance when you are out of the playoff hunt is dumb.

True. However Dunn loves Bowden, and with the Nationals moving into a new park I don't think it would be too hard for them to work out an extension.

 

You may be right, but that extension would need to be worked out in the 72-hour window. If not, Bowden would be incredibly stupid to just take a chance on it.

Maybe it is incredibly naive of me to think this, but part of me thinks Bowden would trust Dunn enough to deal for him if he thought they were close enough on a deal.

 

Bowden was really close to both Dunn and Kearns. Just adding to the points about Dunn being in favor of going to D.C., he would be reunited with his best friend Austin Kearns.

[biittner77]

IIRC Dunn and Kearns were close friends when they played together for the Reds. That and several truckloads of money could get Dunn to sign in DC.

 

I don't see Dunn and the face of the franchise type player. His skills don't appeal to traditionalists who see the Ks and the batting average and don't care about none of them "new aged" stats that bloggers living in their parents basements make up.

 

I could see Dunn signing with the Tigers in the offseason. There he could play 1st base or even better DH, make lots of money and still have a chance to win a championship.

[RynoRules]

Just trying to think along with Bowden here (a strenuous exercise):

 

- Need to sell Dunn on DC

- Will be tough to do that through free agency b/c we have never won here and I will have stiff competition in the form of NYY, Boston, and perhaps both Chicago teams.

- If I get him here for the final 1/4 of the season then he might enjoy living in DC, playing for Acta and being reunited with Kearns.

- He will thus be easier to re-sign.

[Backtobanks]

hahaha, an elite prospect for Dye and his expiring contract, .284 OBP, and .715 OPS? Where do I sign up?

 

If they think Dopirak is an elite prospect, I'd do Dopirak for Dye. :)

 

Sounds good :D

 

I don't know what Williams is exactly thinking here. Dye is a FA after this year anyway. You have to move him now before you end up with absolutely nothing. And based on his potential from last season and his HR totals from this season (on a bum quad), there will definitely be teams that are interested in him. You're not going to get a top of the line prospect for Dye, so he can stop thinking that.

 

How about Neal Cotts :wink:

 

The funniest line that I've read in the last few weeks is Williams wasn't sure on whether the White Sox would be buyers or sellers. KW is hilarious.

[UMFan83]

Plus you gotta think with the new ballpark opening next year, the Nats will probably be able to make a splash in the FA market...maybe not to contend but to at least make it an exciting team. That might be another decent selling point for Dunn.

[Soul]

Just trying to think along with Bowden here (a strenuous exercise):

 

- Need to sell Dunn on DC

- Will be tough to do that through free agency b/c we have never won here and I will have stiff competition in the form of NYY, Boston, and perhaps both Chicago teams.

- If I get him here for the final 1/4 of the season then he might enjoy living in DC, playing for Acta and being reunited with Kearns.

- He will thus be easier to re-sign.

 

Could be. I would rather see this happen than Dunn going to the Brewers. There's always a chance he gets hot and the last thing we need to deal with is more Brewers home runs.