Talks about a contract extension between Adam Dunn and the Nationals have "picked back up" according to the first baseman, and he says a deal "could happen today." That appears to be a little optimistic on Dunn's part, but we'll let you decide. Here is exactly what he said, courtesy of The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore…
"I do [think I'll be a National in 2011]," Dunn said. "More than I did a month ago. Talks have picked back up. We'll see what happens. We're obviously talking. We're going to work something out, I think."
"Going to free agency doesn't mean I'm leaving here. I'm sure whenever the season is over, I'll have, whatever it is, a month. If things haven't worked out here, yeah, it's going to go to free agency. But that doesn't mean I'm not coming here."
The Adam Dunn contract extension saga has lasted all year long, with both sides expressing interest in getting a deal done only to have nothing in place with the season about to draw to a close. Dunn indicated that he's in no hurry to sign, acknowledging that it's probably a disadvantage for him to agree to a deal without at least seeing what the open market has to offer.
Dunn, 30, is hitting .262/.358/.542 with 35 homers this season. He's gone deep at least 35 times in seven straight years, and right now the ability to hit for power is at a premium around the league. Despite the obvious fit, Dunn reiterated that he does not want to be a full-time designated hitter in the future, something that will work against him as a free agent.
Well aint it about time!!!!
I really, really hope he remains a Nat beyond 2010. He, along with Zimmerman, might be the best thing that ever happened to the Washington Nationals (in Washington).
I agree with you on this. Dunn is the super power HR guy from the LH side, just like Hondo Howard was from the RH side decades ago for the old Senators teams. I really hope he stays with them and they can build on Howard, Willingham, Zimmerman and the makings of a decent young pitching staff.
They already are headed in a better direction than a couple of not named teams in the same division they are in. keep the best run producer they have and try and work something out with Willingham also.
I agree with you on this. Dunn is the super power HR guy from the LH side, just like Hondo Howard was from the RH side decades ago for the old Senators teams. I really hope he stays with them and they can build on Howard, Willingham, Zimmerman and the makings of a decent young pitching staff.
They already are headed in a better direction than a couple of not named teams in the same division they are in. keep the best run producer they have and try and work something out with Willingham also.
So much for seeing the Big Donkey in pinstripes! Oh well I can dream can’t I.
Come on Dunn. At least test free agency! Do you really want to be known as a 40+ HR bad-defense first baseman on one of the worst teams in baseball or a 40+HR DH on one of the best teams in baseball.
Strasburg is cool and all but I don’t see the Nats contending within the next 5 years.
“Strasburg is cool and all but I don’t see the Nats contending within the next 5 years. ”
You’ve got Yankee fever. I say they do compete within the next 3 years. Teams DO sign free agents and make trades you know.
The Lerner family is LOADED. I think they are waiting to get a good core in place before spending on complementary free agents. Dunn is a part of that core, and so they are opening the checkbook for him. This is certainly not the Florida Marlins we’re talking about here.
Marc Lerner is also a very, very give Guy which is another reason that the Nationals orgainzation is in Fantastic shape.
Teams other then the Yankees??? are you sure??
Well the Yankees don’t sign players, they steal players from the free agent pool.
“Strasburg is cool and all but I don’t see the Nats contending within the next 5 years. ”
You’ve got Yankee fever. I say they do compete within the next 3 years. Teams DO sign free agents and make trades you know.
Eh, we do have some decent prospects in the farm system and in the Bigs already. Bryce Harper, Steven Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Drew Storen, Danny Espinosa, Ian Desmond, Roger Bernadina, Chris Marrero, Steve Lombardozzi, Michael Burgess, Tom Milone, there’s more. The only reason we wouldn’t contend is because our division would be too difficult to either win or get a wild card spot. The Mets are practically chickens with their heads cut off as long as Omar Minaya is in a position to make actual decisions, and the Marlins are either hot or cold. The Braves are going to be tough for a while and the Phillies are, well, the Phillies.
I haven’t seen anyone ever mention it, but shouldn’t it be a bit worrying that his walks are down so much this year? This is gonna be the first time in his career he hasn’t walked 100+ times in a full season and it’s looking like it’s not even gonna be close, hopefully he does age well though because I’ve always loved the guy and wish the Braves would’ve jumped on the chance to sign him for the deal the Nats gave him
I haven’t seen anyone ever mention it, but shouldn’t it be a bit worrying that his walks are down so much this year? This is gonna be the first time in his career he hasn’t walked 100+ times in a full season and it’s looking like it’s not even gonna be close, hopefully he does age well though because I’ve always loved the guy and wish the Braves would’ve jumped on the chance to sign him for the deal the Nats gave him
With Strasburg and Harper at least a year away, this season ticketholder will not be motivated to renew to see the likes of Morse, Bernadina, Morgan, Maxwell, and Ian “40 errors a year” Desmond.
For 2011, Ryan Zimmerman and the annual crop of supposedly can’t-miss young pitchers aren’t enough for me to lay out significant money for season tickets.
Every time Dunn comes to the plate there’s a chance of fireworks. No Dunn and I’m done gone.
Hear. Hear. Even with Dunn, financially re-committing to this team in 2011 represents the triumph of hope over experience. Without him, there’s simply no way I’m gonna to spend money in advance of the season. It would be a sign that they’ve written off 2011.
It’s not as though they are strangers to sunk costs: Guzman, Young, Kearns, Marquis, etc. Giving Dunn an “extra” year for a little more money than strictly quantitative judgments might indicate is a small price to pay to not alienate your already microscopic fan base.
Hear. Hear. Even with Dunn, financially re-committing to this team in 2011 represents the triumph of hope over experience. Without him, there’s simply no way I’m gonna to spend money in advance of the season. It would be a sign that they’ve written off 2011.
It’s not as though they are strangers to sunk costs: Guzman, Young, Kearns, Marquis, etc. Giving Dunn an “extra” year for a little more money than strictly quantitative judgments might indicate is a small price to pay to not alienate your already microscopic fan base.
No Dunn and this season ticket holder is Dunn gone until 2012 with Strasburg and Harper show up.
Dunn is a teams accident waiting to happen. Overpay on a 4 or 5 year contract for a guy that can’t field ,strikes out a lot, but when he is hot hits a lot of home runs. I hope for the teams sake that signs him he can maintain that home run pace and not go into the tank which is typical of these guys with long term security.
Just out of curiosity, since the common argument for not signing Dunn is that he stinks at defense: How many wins/runs does 1B defense actually account for? If he’s that much of a defensive liability, is there a stat that shows that when he plays defense, he costs his team runs or wins?