Adam Dunn for 14 mill a year?!

by Geo4MVP on Jan 13, 2009 10:42 PM CST Comment 64 comments

Wow...according to mlbtraderumors, Dunn is demanding 4 years 56 million smackers! I know hes a good hitter, but his defense is awful (I daresay its even worse than Carlos Lee's defense). IMHO, he is not worth 14 million $$$ (let alone for 4 yrs).

If you were Jim Hendry, would you have signed Dunn for 4yrs/56 mill? (I'm starting to like the Milton Bradely contract alot more since the third year is a team option year.)

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Well I bet he'll get more than Bradley

simply b/c of his consistency and durability, but none of the big spenders really need him, so it might not be that much more than Miltons.

The Angels seem to be a good fit, hes better at this point than Dye, whom theyve been connected to.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jan 13, 2009 10:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well...the O's and Nationals have alot of payroll to work with...

One of those guys could have offered him that kind of $$$. Keep in mind the Nationals offered more $$$ to Tex tan the Yankees.

by Geo4MVP on Jan 13, 2009 10:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Aren't we already paying a guy...

Aren’t we already paying a guy mucho dineiro for his bat?

He currently plays left field.

He used to be a Yankee. And a Ranger.

by northernsails on Jan 13, 2009 10:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...but do we really have the flexibility to work out a Dunn deal?

Considering those backloaded contracts will not relieve any financial relief for some time. Yes, I know Soriano is overpaid, but do we want to risk another big contract to a player who can barely play defense for 4 yrs? I would be OK if it were to be 3 yrs, but 4 is stretching it.

by Geo4MVP on Jan 13, 2009 10:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting...

…the Cubs consider Dunn at this point. I think the point here is, if you were GM, would you have (past tense) signed Dunn under these terms instead of Milton Bradley?

I like Dunn a lot and was willing to roll the dice on playing him in right field. He has a good track record in terms of health; he puts up consistently productive offensive numbers; and he knows the NL Central well.

But I agree with the many others here who say that he’s asking too much in today’s market. And, as crazy as this sounds, I’m kind of enjoying the mystery that is Milton Bradley right now. I think Gameboard could put up numbers at least close to those of Dunn with far better defense.

If I had to make prediction, I’d say he still goes to the Nationals. If that does happen, it’ll be kind of a shame that a guy with Dunn’s skills probably won’t see postseason play unless he gets lucky and makes the playoffs with an AL team as a DH late in his career.

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 14, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree that for the kind of $ Dunn is asking for, I wouldn't have signed him.

And most likely, neither will anyone else.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

northern you wouldn't

northern you wouldn’t…

happen to have a sister who posts on here would ya?

by StevenABQ on Jan 14, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sister?

Me? No. I mean I have a sister, but I doubt she posts here.

by northernsails on Jan 14, 2009 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you sure

Are you sure about that?

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 14, 2009 3:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn't really seem that outrageous...

I think most reports have pegged him in the 10-15 range. When I suggested Dunn, I believe I was thinking 3/39 deal.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 13, 2009 10:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That sounds better...considering its only three years

But imo 4 years is stretching it.

by Geo4MVP on Jan 13, 2009 10:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dunn is consistent and healthy

3 vs 4 yrs shouldn’t be a huge concern. He’s 28, he’s 150+ games the last 5 years.

With Adam Dunn the question is where do you play him.

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Jan 13, 2009 11:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The O's want to use him at DH

And apparently Dunn wants to play the field the majority of the time. Well start training with Michael Johnson then Dunn. He is Ben Olson playing right field.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Jan 13, 2009 11:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like Dunn, as most of you know.

But he’s not going to get that much.

We are now only about 3 1/2 weeks from the first players reporting to spring training… 41 days to the Cubs’ first spring game. The closer we get without some of these guys signing, they will have to settle for less money than they had first asked.

Incidentally, I cannot find any link at MLBTR that has this amount of money Dunn is supposedly demanding on it. If you can find the link, please post it.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 4:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

here you go

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/dunn-looking-fo.html

by bamix1 on Jan 14, 2009 8:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks.

That links to an ESPN insider page — anyone here have ESPN insider?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The lack of buzz surrounding Adam Dunn might have something to do with his price tag. An official from one club with an interest in Dunn told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that agent Greg Genske is looking for a four-year deal at $14 million annually for the slugging left fielder.
While Dunn has a career .381 on base percentage and five straight 40-homer seasons on his resume, he’s averaged more than 150 strikeouts a year and is viewed as a defensive liability at both first base and left field.
Washington and Atlanta, two clubs that have some interest in Dunn, have turned their attention to trade possibilities. Both clubs are believed to have interest in Yankees outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Jan 14, 2009 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it

When players announce their contract demand it’s usually not met. Lowe wanted an 85/5 and that was truly ridiculous; plus he didn’t get it. Even his 60/4 is a bit out of line.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 14, 2009 6:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If we could rewind to before signing Bradley

I would do it. Dunn is amazing and underrated. Boo hoo he strikes out a lot

by ChiCubs23 on Jan 14, 2009 8:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

and, you know...

can’t field.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 14, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

especially RF

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 14, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

For every homer he hits...

He gives up 4 more runs in the field…and an angel loses its wings.

by northernsails on Jan 14, 2009 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I could see the market for Dunn

being much better next year or the year after. Maybe he’d consider signing a one or two year deal at $12M and then go for a big one later one.

by jerry morales rules on Jan 14, 2009 8:38 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

This doesn't surprise me

I was expecting that he would be asking for 4/60 or something in that neighborhood. Whether he gets it, I don’t know. It might depend on whether he wants to win or get paid. I bet the Nationals would come close to paying him that as they have to do something this off-season to interest the fans. Of course, Dunn won’t win with the Nats.

by rlpete on Jan 14, 2009 9:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

ALOT OF $$$$,,,,,

At this late stage of the off season….Do DUNN and his agent really think they are going to get that much ?? Most clubs have their rosters close to being set .. Don’t they ???

by cubs north on Jan 14, 2009 9:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I would have signed Dunn.

by DudeVf11 on Jan 14, 2009 9:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

To answer the question:

No. Too much money for the services offered.
I’d like to see him in the AL as a DH. He’ll kill it there.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jan 14, 2009 9:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Tampa would have been a good destination for him...

… but they already signed Burrell.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If the Twins weren't so "cheap"

he’d fit their bill. Kubel won’t cut it for the entire season, or so I hear.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Jan 14, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're absolutely right.

Dunn would be a beast in the Humpdome. But, they are moving to a new stadium in 2010.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually he doesnt really fit

they have a surplus of outfielders the way it is with Delmon Young, Gomez, Span and Cuddyer. Obviously he would be signed as a DH, which would leave no room for Kubel, at any rate 10mm+ is a hefty pricetag for a DH. Not to mention that most of their power comes from the left side they would be looking for a right handed power hitter.

by bheidge on Jan 14, 2009 4:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Dunn is going to have to lower his expectations

He’s not going to get that sort of money. He is a DH in a market with plenty of far less expensive options for teams to consider. I would be surprised if he signs with a National League team at this stage. His best bet is probably to take whatever the Orioles are willing to pay. That would be great situation for him.

by BLou on Jan 14, 2009 10:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The Nationals have interest

Remember Jim Bowden likes to collect old Reds from his time there (Kearns, Pena, Lopez). No word locally here though on what they have offered. The Nationals also could play him at 1st with the always injured Nick Johnson, the ever growing Dmitri Young and sore-backed Josh Willingham as the other options.

Yes he is a DH but the Nationals need to do something to generate some sort of interest in the upcoming season. They have acquired Scott Olsen, Josh Willingham and Daniel Cabrera so far. That’s a big nothing.

by rlpete on Jan 14, 2009 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

By last count I'm pretty sure the Nationals have 253 options for the outfield

Austin Kearns, Willie Mo Pena, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, Corey Patterson….

I’m not saying any of those players are GOOD, but…

by BLou on Jan 14, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But they are the Nationals

They are rumored to be interested in Swisher or Nady if the Yankees want to move one. Swisher might make sense for 1st as they really can’t head into 2009 with Johnson and Young.

From the local sources, the Nationals have/had interest in Dunn and Hudson but not at the current demands.

by rlpete on Jan 14, 2009 11:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Post Fail

You forgot the best outfielder they have on their roster. Lastings Milledge

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jan 14, 2009 12:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's a very good point

The Nationals need a A LOT of things. But they need another outfielder (especially a very bad defensive one) like a hole in the head.

by BLou on Jan 14, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They need...

a star and coinciding ticket sales.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jan 14, 2009 9:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They need...

A clue, a plan, and a new GM. Seriously.

That area is so starved for good baseball that even a smart young team hovering around .500 would draw tickets. A little bit of cash focused on draft signings, and they could legitimately own that region inside of three years.

Instead, they pull non-sensical stunts like trading for Soriano — and then not trading him, signing Young to an extension, and playing musical chairs in the outfield. And let’s not even start on not selling high on Cordero and Rauch.

Until Lerner gets wise and cans Bowden, anything coming out of Washington is just blowhard noise.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 14, 2009 10:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's going to take more than canning Bowden to get rid of all that blowhard noise coming out of Washington... ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 14, 2009 10:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dukes is actually pretty good

and you forgot about Milledge, who supposedly has star potential.

by vivaelpujols on Jan 14, 2009 10:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dukes is one scary guy.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 14, 2009 11:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

an appropriate headline player for a non contender

let him hit HR’s and make news copy somewhere else.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jan 14, 2009 10:13 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

One thing Dunn has going for him this off-season

is the D-Backs did not offer him arbitration so a team signing him will not surrender any draft picks.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 14, 2009 10:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Question,

would it be smarter for a free agent at this time to sign a 1 or a 2 year deal? Is it better to be a free agent again in 2010 or 2010? There are 2 things to consider; the economy and the free agent classes for both of those years.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Jan 14, 2009 10:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

OT: Do you think the fans at Wrigley will be ready to turn on Soriano if he has a bad start next year?

Considering his expense and his lousy offseason performances with the Cubs? I’m not one to boo at the game but I could see him turning into a huge disappointment by midseason.

by Jerry Mumphrey on Jan 14, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it.

For the most part, Soriano has kept up his end of the bargain (not to imply his contract is a bargain) during the regular season – 33 home runs and a 123 OPS+ in ‘07 and 29 home runs and a 121 OPS+ this past year (both seasons affected by injuries, too). And I’d guess most fans don’t blame him entirely for the debacle that was the ‘08 postseason. They shouldn’t, anyway. He was definitely a big part of the problem, but not all of it.

What makes you think he’ll be a huge disappointment by midseason?

RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 14, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

nope

save the post season — and NO CUB has done well in the post season — Soriano has been what he was sold to us as — an average fielder, a great hitter, and someone who can carry the team at times.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 14, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Eh

CBC whipping boy Derrek Lee has 10 hits in the last two postseason series. I’d say that’s at least, “doing well”. His stats are actually much better than when he won the World Series with the Marlins in ’03.

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jan 15, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bleah

Make that BCB

I reject your reality and substitute my own.

by WayneCampbell08 on Jan 15, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They don't like DLee in Canada?

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.

by znohitter on Jan 15, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I see what you did there, eh?

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Jan 15, 2009 3:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fonzi generally doesn't get booed.

Between the hot streaks from his bat and occasional outfield assists, he keeps the LF bleacher bums relatively content. I seriously doubt he’ll fall that far out of favor.

Put another way: He’s very much like Sammy Sosa…only in left field…and skinny.

by northernsails on Jan 14, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's looking for 14 annually,

but that’s just the sticker price. Wasn’t Lowe supposed to get a five year eighty million dollar deal? I believe that Dunn will get a two or three year deal for around 11-12 annually.

by dakoose on Jan 14, 2009 12:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I see him getting Bradley-like annual pay

maybe for an extra year though.

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jan 14, 2009 1:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That sounds pretty logical...

… since Dunn is younger and (up to now) healthier.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 14, 2009 1:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I really don't see how...

It seems like the teams in the market for outfield help put there best offers out there early, and got basically whomever was willing to take the cash. You’re now less than a month before Spring Training, teams have gone in different directions with their dollars, and you’ve now got a little too much supply for the demand. Personally, I think the Burrell signing in Tampa spoke volumes about the rapidly declining market for outfielders. And that’s made worse by the fact that Dunn really should only DH.

If I were to hazard a guess, someone signs Dunn to a one year deal, with maybe an option that allows him to re-enter the market next off-season. The free agent class is weak, and he could then peddle himself as either the top first baseman choice, or the downmarket alternative to Matt Holiday.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 14, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Cubs should have

traded Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, and Z for minor leaguers then picked up DUNN. He’s stupid good and could take us to the promised land single handedly.

by Palmdale24 on Jan 14, 2009 2:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think that's insane

n/t

by northernsails on Jan 14, 2009 3:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean it

That’s one of the most retarded ideas I’ve heard in years.

You’re clearly delusional or else a Cardinal or White Sox fan in sheep’s clothing.

by northernsails on Jan 15, 2009 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Please don't use the term "retarded" here.

While that sounded like a dumb idea, there’s no need for personal attacks.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jan 15, 2009 5:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Apologies...

But i was using the term to describe the idea, not the person who submitted it. May sound like like petty semantics, but there is an important distinction. Anyway, won’t do it again.

by northernsails on Jan 15, 2009 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he would have asked for less....

If he was trying to sign with the Cubs. He is on record saying he would not try to break us, just wanted something respectable.

by Cub In NC on Jan 14, 2009 2:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

question is

what would Dunn say is respectable? 10, 11, 12 per season? 3 seasons?

As much as I would have preferred Dunn on our team over Bradley, I think the initial conversation between Hendry and Dunn’s agent did not go as well as Hendry’s dinner with Bradley. Bradley told Hendry he would wait if there was mutual interest. There was, and Bradley kept his word. Even kept a low profile too.

We’ll never know the entire story, but it’s fun to speculate.

FWIW, I would have paid 4/60 for Dunn, but it’s monopoly money to me.

At this point, Hendry has proved to be a great GM. Some may moan that he’s no Epstein, Beane or Shuerholz, but there’s a difference between earning the respect of statheads and earning the respect of the players. He’s made great trades (Lee, Ramirez, Harden) and bad (Pierre, Izturis, Trachsel), same for FA signings (good: DeRosa, Johnson, Edmonds. bad: Burnitz, Jones, Perez), but every GM has made some bad moves.

What sets Hendry apart is that he has earned the trust of the players. He told Garciaparra he would improve his contract if there was room at the beginning of the season, and he backed it up. Ramirez left 30-40 million on the table to stay here. Wood signed for considerably less than he could have received elsewhere out of loyalty. Dempster (in 06), Lee and Zambrano signed before they were even officially free agents.

If Hendry thinks Bradley is the best option, I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

by Championship Vinyl on Jan 15, 2009 12:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs