An unknown team claimed Nationals slugger Adam Dunn off waivers on Thursday, reported Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The teams had 48.5 business-day hours to work out a deal, so the window closed around Monday afternoon. Dunn will remain with the Nationals through the end of the season.
The Nationals may still attempt to sign Dunn to an extension. Failing that, they can at least offer arbitration. With a 76.000 rating, Dunn remains a Type A free agent in our latest Elias rankings projections. The highest Type B in the NL 1B/OF group is Shane Victorino at 72.791. There's a pretty good chance the Nationals offer Dunn arbitration even if they think he might accept, as getting him back on a one-year deal worth $15MM or so wouldn't be that bad.
Two years ago today, Reds GM Walt Jocketty traded Dunn to the Diamondbacks for Dallas Buck, Wilkin Castillo, and Micah Owings. Castillo and Owings were named later. Josh Byrnes was behind the deal from Arizona's side. At the time of the deal Dunn sported a .233/.373/.528 line with 32 home runs, good for a .383 wOBA. This year he's hitting .272/.359/.573 with 30 home runs and a .393 wOBA. Dunn was a Type A free agent after that season too (81.250 rating) but Byrnes chose not to offer arbitration. Byrnes explained that decision in a March 2009 interview with MLBTR.
