Dunn Won't Cost A Draft Pick

I think the Dbacks made the right decision here. With the economy the way it is, Dunn was a sunk cost. Risking debilitating your whole team to try for a couple of draft picks would have been foolish. They'll get picks for Hudson, Lyon and Cruz, which should be plenty for now.

Ted although i like what you are saying i believe Ortiz, A Rod and Pujols have more HR's but that just goes to magnify your comment. There is also about ten above Dunn in Ribbies. Just sayin. sorry im a stat nut i guess

Although the money for next season would have been nice, I just didn't see Dunn accepting as he probably will get a long term deal; even if he had cost draft picks.

This goes to show how a bad contract (Eric Byrnes) can handcuff an organization at times.

I think if the D-backs weren't on the hook for Byrnes and $11 Million per season for the next two years they would have risked Dunn accepting arbitration.

Remember, Byrnes also has a No Trade Clause too; which makes him that much harder to move.

Last year, Byrnes made around $6 million and hit .200 playing only part of the season; now he gets a $5 million raise for 09. Ouch, that had to have something to do with it.

A - Remember though that Dunn is going to make a heck of a lot more money than Lyon. If Lyon accepts it's a minor cash outlay compared to if Dunn accepted.

Dunn is looking more and more attractive, defense be damned. If the Cubs could backload his contract enough to fit him into payroll for the next few years I would stick him in right field and then plant him at first when DLee's contract expires. Just a thought. That big of a left-handed bat would go a long way towards "fixing" the NL's best offense last year.... And if Peavy really is brought on board you're looking at one scary rotation as well. With the right moves and some creative payroll jockeying the Cubs could be a better team than they were in '08.

I would say if anything, this lowers the chances of the Nationals signing Dunn. The big market teams who did well last year's 1st round pick is now protected, whereas the Nationals 1st Round pick was protected already due to their rather poor record. This new wrinkle in regards to Dunn makes him much more valuable to those big market teams. Likely driving up the price on Dunn, and thus making the nationals pay more than they might have had to before.

On another note, this trade is a definite win for the Reds at this point...regardless of whether Owings and the crew do.

I'd take Adam Dunn to bat #4 or #5 for the Mets in a heartbeat with the intention of having him take over for Carlos Delgado at first in 2010. This makes too much sense for the Mets, whether or not you'd have a block of power-hitting lefties there with Delgado and Dunn. You could easily put Carlos Beltran in the #2 spot, and then, if need be, you could trade another lefty in Ryan Church for starting pitching help.

Why should they go out and get another impact hitter to go along with Reyes, Wright, Delgado, and Beltran - just leave it alone with the belief that Fernando Tatis will bat over .300 again and Daniel Murphy will be a future Hall-of-Famer. This Omar Minaya is too much for me.

"The only teams that really have the money for Dunn, that need an outfielder, are Yankees, Braves, Nationals, and maybe Mets." - BravesRed

You forgot 1, the Angels. Dunn and Burrell would make up for not signing Teixeira, if it comes down to that.

"I think the Dbacks made the right decision here. With the economy the way it is, Dunn was a sunk cost. Risking debilitating your whole team to try for a couple of draft picks would have been foolish. They'll get picks for Hudson, Lyon and Cruz, which should be plenty for now."

No, foolish is declining to offer arbitration to a guy that all but certain to walk away, looking for a multi year deal. Even if Dunn were by some chance to accept arb, so what? If you really can't afford him, then trade him. Even if you move him for nothing but salary relief, you are no worse off then you are now. I love the D'Backs, and I love Josh Byrnes, but this one is a head scratcher.

"You forgot 1, the Angels. Dunn and Burrell would make up for not signing Teixeira, if it comes down to that."

Angels need a RF, not a LF, and if you look at Dunns numbers at RF, they are not impressive, and plus he hasn't played that many games at RF. Burrell has never played RF. So, that kind of leaves Angels out for Dunn and Burrell.

BravesRed,

Why do the Angels need a RF? Thats where Vlad plays. They need a LF to replace Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera. Dunn is the perfect fit for the Angels cuz they need a power lefty to put between Vlad and Hunter in the lineup.

You are not correct. Vlad is the RF and DHs when they think he needs rest. GA was the DH most of the time.

Anderson won't resign, but the Angels have depth in the OF. Most likely Dunn would DH, Vlad would play RF, and Matthews or Willits will play LF. Then when Vlad needs rest he will DH, Willits or Matthews would shift to RF and Dunn would DH. Dunn is only an option if the Angels don't resign Tex. If the Angels sign Tex Kendry Morales will probably split DH time with Vlad and play LF.