Market Well Dunn
Conventional wisdom would hold that a player hitting 40 home runs every year for five years running wouldn’t have trouble finding a job as a free agent. Adam Dunn posts a high on-base percentage (usually over .380) in addition to swatting 40 bombs a year. His OPS is typically around 900, where league average is 740. He filed for free agency in November and, until this week, the market for his services was almost nonexistent.
Many experts in the industry believe that Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi’s comments last summer about Dunn’s supposed lack of motivation have stuck as fact with many front offices. Throughout the process, Dunn has stayed composed and said he just wants a fair contract.
Last week, Dunn said his first preference was to play for the Cubs and Jim Hendry confirmed that his team had interest in the slugger. On Monday, the Dodgers and general manager Ned Colletti said they were interested in Dunn. A source close to Dunn said that he would choose the Dodgers over any other offer.
Of course, the Dodger’s sudden interest in Dunn could be a move to leverage a smaller contract out of Manny Ramirez. Ramirez is well aware that should the Dodgers sign Dunn, his market would almost completely evaporate. Colletti made a point to say that the team was interested in Dunn and Bobby Abreu as well as Ramirez.
Whatever the Dodgers’ motivations, the market for Dunn has suddenly sprung to life. Late Monday, word from Tampa Bay was that the Rays were considering offers to Dunn and slugger Pat Burrell to become their new designated hitter.
So it appears, despite the best efforts of leaders within the industry, that Adam Dunn will get a multiyear contract after all.
Where he eventually signs is up in the air. The Cubs are an excellent fit. Dunn can roam left field for a year until Derrick Lee’s contract expires, when he can move over to first base. The Cubs have long needed a left handed bat and someone who can get on base. Dunn would slot in nicely in the fourth or fifth spot in the order. We say the Cubs remain the favorite to sign Dunn.
The Dodgers aren’t as good a match. They have one open spot in the outfield if they bypass Ramirez, but first base is essentially blocked by James Loney. Dunn profiles best as a firstbaseman, especially as he enters his thirties.
Teams that have yet to express interest but would be good fits for Dunn include the San Francisco Giants, the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. The Nats, with Dunn’s former general manager Jim Bowden, could desperately use a power bat like Dunn’s. The question is; will the Nationals’ ownership spend the money to make it happen.
At any rate, the market for Dunn is taking shape and the big man can be expected to sign by mid-January.
