Loading ...Adam Dunn is now the most prolific left-handed home run hitter in the entire history of the Cincinnati Reds franchise. After last night’s HR, Dunn is #4 overall on the Reds club home run list, behind Hall-of-Famers Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson, and Tony Perez.
Not bad for a guy who seems to be disliked by most of Cincinnati.
Yeah, I don’t understand the antipathy. Yes, the guy’s got his faults: He plays the outfield like a halfback, he strikes out, his BA isn’t great and he isn’t the world’s greatest clutch hitter.
In other words, he’s not Willie Mays.
The Reds can sign him to an expensive multiyear deal and get, at a minimum, those 100 RBI’s and 40 HR’s every year. Who know, too, maybe his others stats will improve as he gets oler.
Or, they can decide that contract is too expensive and put him on the trade market. However, they won’t get a one-on-one replacement and they won’t get a reliable and winning starting pitcher.
So, it seems to me that Dunn is a test case for the team’s commitment to playing with the big guys. If the Powers That Be are ready to spend at the level needed to finance a consistent winner, then they sign Dunn. If they don’t, it’s a signal that they can’t or won’t spend the money it takes to win.
Personally, I’m looking at this season as a year of transition and decision. The starting lineup may look very different by September.
Last night’s dinger was huge at the time. In fact, each of his last half dozen or so have tied the game or put the Reds ahead. Maybe he’s getting more clutchy.
The time to trade him was a year and a half ago. Now you either pay him or let him walk. W/ Griffey leaving, methinks you need to keep him around.
Agreed, Sultan. Now you have to sign him. Not a bad thing, but I don’t think you have any other options.
Adam Dunn is a terrific hitter, and a feared presence in the lineup. May be Corey Patterson can play left field in the eighth and ninth innings…when we’re up by three or more….
Oh, speaking of likes and dislikes…Frank Robinson was kind of chased out of town, too…
But we love Ryan Freel? (useful, yes; star or regular, no) and we loved Aaron Boone….