Even though Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has spoken about his desire to sign Adam Dunn to a contract extension, the first baseman seems headed for free agency after the season. Dunn told Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post that nothing is imminent, and that he "assumes" he will end the season without an extension in place.
Dunn, 30, was reportedly seeking a three or four year deal to stick with the Nationals, but it doesn't seem as if the two sides ever got all that close to reaching an agreement on an extension. An unknown team claimed Dunn off waivers earlier this month, but no trade was made. Interest in the slugger was abundant before the trade deadline as well.
With offense and power trending downward throughout the league, Dunn's consistent homerun prowess has become increasingly more valuable despite his well-publicized defensive shortcomings. He's currently on pace for 39 homers, which would make 2010 the seventh consecutive season in which he's gone deep at least 38 times. Similar to the deadline, there would be a long line of teams bidding for Dunn's services as a free agent after the season.
withpower
Make it rain, Cashman.
CitizenSnips
Hahaha. He would make the perfect DH.
Ian_Smell
I would really like the Pirates to sign him, however unlikely that may be.
Joseph
Agreed……on both counts.
Six_Eight
Same numbers are still the same for a guy no one wanted two years ago. So why the change of heart? He’s still a DH that thinks he’s something more.
Go ahead Yanks give him 18 million a year, I could use a good laugh.
alxn
Only thing I can think of is that power numbers have gone down across the board while Dunn’s haven’t, and he has proven that he is somewhat competent at playing a defensive position.
Henry Castellanos
Yeah… No way the Yanks pay him more than 14$ a year… A DH like him deserves around maybe 11$-12$, but I don’t think his agent has the nerve to haggle with the Yankees unless it’s Boras
John W
Why would the Yankees be looking for a DH with all of the old guys they have on their team right now? Besides, Dunn does not want to DH, he wants to be a position player.
Are the Yankees, or any team for that matter, willing to put a clause in his contract that he gets paid double for the entire length of his contract if he is put in the lineup as a DH?
Big Daddy
Problem, have you seen Dunn play the field??? MADAWN
John W
Yes, I have… but that is what he wants to do so he will not sign with a AL team.
jayrig5
He’s said repeatedly he has no interest in DH-ing.
johnsilver
Perfect DH for the Rays, something they have needed for years. The problem? a team that does not pay anybody, unless it is at a bargain rate and why they are set to lose Crawford, Pena, looking to unload an affordable Shields and traded Kazmir last season when he was making what the typical #2-3 starter does on a team.
venn177
They said the same thing about Burrell.
invader3k
I’d really like to see the Nats work something out with him. They could certainly use a star player still on their roster next season, with Strasburg likely on the DL.
Kate
A star player like Ryan Zimmerman, you mean?
Kidding, kidding. 😉 I’m hoping they keep Dunn as well. If they ARE considering just letting him walk away, I’d love to know who they have in mind as a replacement…
JDortmunder
I think he’ll stay…for a lot more $$$ and security. Dunn thinks he’s a 1B (not DH) and I don’t think a contending team means that much to him if he’s getting what he wants.
I do think a half-doz good teams will try to get him to DH for 3y’s. He’ll have some nice options.
Chris B.
I could see the Red Sox signing him for say 3 yrs-36 mill to play first moving Youk to third while our first base prospects develop then moving Dunn to DH in the third and final yr of his contract. He’d absolutely crush in Fenway
UFORomeo70
Nats let Dunn walk and get whatever picks they can and then sign Carlos Pena (a Boras client) in an effort to stay cozy with Boras (after the Straburg/Harper signings) and get a guy that plays a much better defensive 1B. They then go strong in the Draft with their top pick for sucking this year and the ones that come from Dunn leaving. There are worse scenarios than Rizzo doing nothing on this topic right now.
jealle
With Strasburg out we need to resign him or I will have almost no reason at all to the go a Nats game next year.
jake
Would look good in cubbie blue. Watch out waveland…..
baseballdude
id like to c him in the old english d
yazpik
Dunn for the M´s, 3 years, 40 millions… Is a perferct fit for safeco
blackandorangepride
After seeing him absolutely rake against us this year at AT&T you better believe Sabean paid attention to him after wanting to go after him at the deadline. I have no doubt Sabean will try to get him this time especially after hearing that Dunn was open to coming here but got no offer the Giants will give him the contract he wants so don’t be surprised to see him in SF next year either
nathanalext
I put my money on the Cubs signing him.