Adam Dunn's First Choice: Cubs

What do you know about Adam Dunn? Do you know he doesn't even like baseball?

The lack of speculation on Dunn all offseason has really led me to believe JP was on to something that many front offices agree with.

I hope something soon happens for the cubs so I don't have to keep on speculating what will become of right field

Bradley, Abreu, and Dunn all belong in the AL. Dunn probably will be the most productive offensively, but will be the biggest liability in right. I'm sure JH is looking at trade options to fill the gap in RF...maybe Hermida?

dear god do i loathe the idea of milton as a cub, games played last 4 seasons, 75-96-61-115 and the last three was when he was in the AL where he could DH, dunn stays healthy and you're guaranteed 40hr, 100rbi and 100bb...i'll take the .250 avg with those numbers and a .380 obp

I would take Dunn over anyone available mainly because of his age and health.

Also, playing for a contending team might peak his interest in baseball. If he can hit 40 homers and a high OBP he can hate baseball for all i care.

"The Cubs could then have possibly the worst defensive outfield in the history of baseball with Soriano and Dunn in opposite corners."

Not quite sure theyre the worst. Soriano makes the routine plays at least. Kosuke will be above average in CF which will take part of the burnen off of them. And their offense still makes them overall above average. Sorianos numbers last season were insane considering how much time he missed.

Gathright isnt a good defender so why would you put him in over reed johnson??

With Soriano, Lee, and A-Ram I don't think the cubs should be worrying about offense at the expense of defense unless they want to move one of those three. Whether Dunn likes or hates baseball there's just no getting around that he can barely play first base defensively, so he's just not a good fit fort he cubs.

The cubs are one of the few teams so stacked (offensively) they can trade for Cameron, or take a gamble on Andruw. Could also probably take on Brian Giles who's decent offensively but still can kinda play a corner.

None of the free agent outfielders except for a Milton Bradley that doesn't get hurt really fits the cubs needs.

just one dumb non-cubs fan opinion.

I like the idea of Adam Dunn, he makes the routine plays and has a decent arm. He just isn't very fast in the outfield which makes him look awful at D. Yes he strikes out a lot, but his homeruns will far outweigh them. Plus, he can strikeout a ton because as long as he delivers with a big knock or two during the game, we'll have the runners in front for his rbis to stay consistent. He really hasn't played in an excellent lineup likes the Cubs in his whole career. He wouldn't have to be the entire offense like he was for so long in cinci and for those couple months in 'zona.

Why does everyone think that Bradley plays bad defense? He is actually very good and can play all three outfield spots when healthy(I know what I said)

Brian Giles is really the ultimate peice for the Cubs. His numbers are still very good and he plays in pitcher-freindly Petco. He is a very good defender(which would help immensely at Wrigley) and he has a solid bat that they could put in the heart of the order to break up the rightys or they could lead him off if they really wanted to get Soriano out of there. Just my thoughts......

Dunn's strikeouts are not a big concern. He can hit 40/100 every year and anchor a lineup. Being in Cincy for as long as he has, you have to think he'd relish in the idea of hitting around Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, and Soto among others. The 2009 Cubs would be the best lineup he's ever seen.

I guess at this point I'd be fine with either Abreu or Dunn. May the cheaper contract win.

I used to hate the idea of Dunn, but now that the cubs havent done anything this offseason (gathright doesnt count) and peavy fell through, we need to do something. I would give up shaky defense for 40hr 100rbi

i agree with garrett, they could probably get andruw for next to nothing if they take on the bulk of the contract, that said, it should be a last resort due to the possible, yet 'unlikely' aquisition of peavy

Here's an idea:

Trade Fukudome to Seattle for Jarod Washburn.

An exchange of bodies for a better atmosphere for the players to rebound.

Trade Marquis and Pie to Texas for Milton Bradley (sign-and-trade) and Saltalamaccia.

Primarily a year of innings just to get Pie. Saltalamaccia has no future in Texas.

That moves several bodies around to clear space to sign Adam Dunn.

The bottom line is Bradley and Dunn for little extra payroll.

Dunn could move to first base once Lee's contract expires.

Somewhat complicated; however, the present market (free-agency) requires creativity (sign and trade deals) and movement of (bad) salaries of poor performing players to new scenery to create flexibilty.

"Trade Marquis and Pie to Texas for Milton Bradley (sign-and-trade) and Saltalamaccia."

Uh. Why wouldn't the Cubs just sign Bradley in the first place? This isn't basketball. On top of that, you can't sign someone and trade them until I believe June. Sign and trade deals do not happen in baseball.

Geo that makes no sense at all. Why would Texas give up a young catcher for basically Pie and a big contract? Also why would we have both Dunn and Bradley when theres only one spot open? Bradley cant play CF, and youve traded away Fukudome and Pie already. And the money wouldnt work out at all. And the sign and trade also makes little sense.

I could give a list of why Dunn to the Cubs isn't a good idea but I wont waste my time BECAUSE---after Texiera signs with the Red Sox and Manny signs with the Yankees or Dodgers, Leather Pants Bowden will swoop in and sign Dunn to a three year contract for more than ANY other team will be willing to offer him. Then the Angers will get a good deal on Bobby Abreu.

Bowden has made brash statements about being a "player" in the Free Agent market this year but he doesn't understand that GOOD players DON'T want to play for the Nationals.

Sure Leather Pants can offer Texiera $200 million but WHY would Tex want to go there if the Red Sox have offered $180 million? Is an extra $20 million dollars really worth the pain and depression that comes along with playing for a LOSING team? Also, how many more endorsements could Tex get if he played for the Red Sox than the Nationals?

I think playing meaningful Games in September year after year with the real possibility of going to the Play Offs and World Series, along with the endorsement deals, would trump any extra cash the Nationals would throw Texiera's way.

Nope, Dunn is going to sign a thre year, $39 million dollar deal and be the Nationals Left Fielder next year.

I'd love to have Dunn, but ONLY if he played first. I'm sure Hendry would never consider this idea, but I'd say sign Bradley to play Right, Dunn to play first, and offer up D Lee to SF for for Cain.

E K- No way SF would take D Lee for Matt cain

"E K- No way SF would take D Lee for Matt cain"

Maybe. But I think they might. they need a middle of the order hitter and a firstbaseman desparately!. They have Lincecome and the best pitching prospect in the game ready to come up. Cain will be do a nice raise soon and D Lee's contract is not insane like the others Hendry has dished out. I think they might just make a deal like that.

"Uh, why wouldn't the Giants keep Cain, play Sandoval at First Base and sign either Ty Wiggington or Joe Crede to play Third Base?"

Because like I said, they need a middle of the order bat. Please don't tell me you think either of those two qualify.

"I don't even do Sanchez for Lee, and I'm not even close to a Giants fan. "

LMAO! You had me up til that comment.

Dunn has hit a HR in every 2.6 games at Wrigley Field over his career. That projects to 31 HRs a season at Wrigley alone.

"So, if Ca$htellini and Jocketty are delusional enough to think Wiggington is the middle of the order hitter the Reds need to put them over the top and competing against the Cubs then I don't see why he couldn't help the Giants in a weaker Division."

Ever think part (most) of the reason they are dillusional about Wiggy is because the launching pad in Cincy is just as friendly a hitters park as Houston?

EK.

Why, in this economic environement, get rid of a young, inexpensive Pitcher for an older, highly paid veteran when a team can just go out and sign a corner Outfielder/First Basemen for cheap?

Why not just save the pitching and wait and see if the Giants are in contention before the trade deadline and THEN trade him away if they need to?

A team can ALWAYS waste money on a hitter but they can NOT always have a decent young, inexpensive Pitcher on the team.

First off ctown cowboy... Did you watch the Cubs-Reds game last year when Dunn hit that bomb over Sheffield Avenue and nearly went through the window on the third story of the building?... WTF r u talking about?

But anyways... if we really wanted to get a championship we'd add leadership and hardworkers to our teams to push the Ramirez's of the world to play at the top of their game: Just think about this lineup

1: Jerry "I play harder than anyone in MLB" Hairston Jr. (SS)
2: Derrek "I ground into a dp more than anyone on the planet and still bat 3rd" Lee (1B)
3: Milton "Did I make the All-Star team last year or was that a dream" Bradley (RF)
4: Aramis "I'm clutch, except for the playoffs" Ramirez (3B)
5: Alfonso "I'm worst than Ramirez in the playoffs" Soriano " (LF)
6: Geovany "I'm gonna be the best catcher in the league in 3 years" Soto (C)
7: Mike "could be just as good as Pedroia given the chance" Fontenot (2B)
8: Reed "The heart of the team" Johnson & Kosuke "I spent too much time trying to learn english instead of learning how to hit" Fukudome (CF)

Trades: Mark DeRosa/Josh Vitters/Felix Pie/Kevin Hart for Jake Peavy

Rotation: Zambrano, Dempster, Peavy, Harden, Lilly

Bullpen: Marshall, Gregg, Marmol, Gaudin, Cotts, Samardzija, Guzman, (Another solid lefty reliever)

I know there is a lot of risk involved in this because of injuries and what not but for christ's sake you have to be willing to take the risk to get the reward (which is something the Cubs haven't done for going on 101 years now) Just a thought...

"Trades: Mark DeRosa/Josh Vitters/Felix Pie/Kevin Hart for Jake Peavy"

Who do you trade DeRosa to to get prospects to flip to the Padres for Peavy, since SD has zero use for DeRosa, being a FA after the 2009 season.

The Phillies, Cubs, and Padres had a three way deal that would send DeRosa to the Phillies and they would in return send big league ready talent to the Padres but Hendry backed out.

Other than that, according to numerous reports on this website and others there were about 10 teams inquiring about the services of Mark DeRosa

Hoosier,

Yes, but does hitting a Home Run 500 feet count any more than hitting a Home Run 375 feet?

I also saw Dunn misplay a Fly Ball hit by Fukudome in the seventh Inning of a Game Cueto was pitching. There were Two Outs and the Cubs were leading 2 to 0. The ball was easily catchable but Dunn ran a bad route to the ball and didn't know where the wall was. The ball fell in for a "Double", a Run scored and Cueto was visibly upset on the mound.

He was ultimately knocked out of the Game, the Cubs ended up scoring three RUns that Inning and the Cubs won 5 to 0.

If Dunn catches that ball the Inning is over, the Reds get to bat and Cueto is still in the Game.

ptk,

The difference in temperature between Chicago and Cincinnati early in the season can be great. Also, GASP is more of an enclosed stadium than Wrigley is so the wind doesn't blow in as much.

As far as two hot streaks, you obviously haven't watched Dunn. As a Reds fan, I have had the "privilege" of seeing him play for eight years and I don't want him back. EVER. No matter what the cost.

Most players who put up big numbers do it over a full season. You can cherry pick 40 of their best Games and pull the stats from those and they will have big stats. With Dunn, his best Games come in streaks. So, instead of 40 Games spread out through the season, his are all together. The other 120 Games, he isn't very good.

In 2008, in 16 Games from May 14 to May 31, Dunn went 18 for 48 (.375 Batting Average) with 13 Runs scored, eight Home Runs and 17 RBI's.

In 24 Games in July, Dunn went 26 for 84 (.310 Batting Average) with 16 Runs scored, 12 Home Runs and 26 RBI's.

So, in 40 consecutive Games (25.3% of his total Games played) over two hot streaks, Dunn went 44 for 132 (.333 Batting Average) with 29 Runs scored, (36.7% of his season's total) 20 Home Runs (50% of his season's total) and 43 RBI's (43% of his season's total).

The rest of the year, in 118 Games, Dunn went 78 for 385 (.203 Batting Average) with 50 Runs scored, 20 Home Runs and 57 RBI's.

As far as his time in Arizona goes, his Home Runs dropped from hitting 1 in every 11.65 At Bats with Cincinnati to hitting 1 in every 18 At Bats with the D-backs. In a 525 At Bat season, that would mean his Home Runs would drop from 47 to 29.

Combine that drop in production with his BAD Defense and Dunn isn't worth the risk.

I wouldnt mind Dunn in right field at Wrigley. With the team the Cubs have, If Dunn is slumping, put Derosa or Hoffpauir in Right for a day off.

Either that or resign edmonds to an incentive laden deal :)

ctown, I know being down 2 runs late is different than being down 5 runs late. But the example you picked doesn't make your point. If Cincy had scored 2 runs, and the Reds had lost 5-2, it would. Besides, why are you going through all this trouble to tell us that Dunn is bad defensively? We know that.

This is how I'd put the lineup:

Theriot
DeRosa
Ramirez
Dunn
Lee
Soriano
Soto
Johnson/Fukudome

For once, how about the Cubs do something that makes sense.

E K: The Giants are not interested in trading Cain anywhere for anyone. They didn't even blink when Prince Fielder for Cain was brought up around the time of the Ray Durham trade. Prince is more of what they want in comparison to Lee. Younger, cheaper, and will hit balls into the cove more than Lee. (Defense is worse but they were starting Klesko there just 2 years ago). If they wouldn't even think twice about Fielder with 3 1/2 to 3 seasons left on his contract, they sure aren't taking Lee for 2 years.

GEO: why would the Cubs want to trade for a blocked player?? (Salty). Plus the Rangers can get more value for him elsewhere if they want to get rid of him.

Fukodome: I don't get why he is all of a sudden a huge upgrade in CF (enough to make up for Dunn/Soriano) when he claimed all last season that he didn't want to play there and there must be a reason. Plus with the way Lou publically took him to the woodshed I can't see how he will be anything but a bust due to a lack of confidence.

Great analysis and comments from various perspectives.

I wonder if ay team officials read this stuff?

Happy holidays to all!

Husker: How do the Cubs get Peavy without giving up DeRosa? They don't have much that the Padres want unless DeRosa or even Theriot is dealt for young pitching in a three way deal. The Twins were looking for middle IF to give the Cubs pitching to satisfy the Padres needs. Lee couldn't be traded to the Padres straight up because they already have a pretty good 1B that they are happy with.

Dunn would also be a huge downgrade from Lee on defense.

I just don't think the Cubs need Peavy unless they are scared about Harden or Zambrano getting hurt. They have a good team on paper. They just need that lefty power hitter that they will find. The only other thing they need is to come through when it counts.

sweetswing,

Sorry. My point was, the ball Fukudome hit was one that wasn't affected by the wind. Dunn just ran a bad route to it and didn't know where the wall was. Being an eight year veteran who has played in Wrigley many times THAT isn't what you should expect.

Now, just think about him having to try and paly Defense when the wind is blowing.

Also, for being a highly recruited high school Quarterback who went to the University of Texas, Dunn doesn't have a very strong or accurate arm.

Last year, Prince Fielder scored from Second on a base hit to Left and Dunn's throw wasn't very strong or very close to getting Fielder out.

Dunn is hardly the crappy defensive player everyone is making him out to be. I highly doubt you'll be complaining too much when we have a 5 run lead and Dunn makes an error.