Dunn for a young closer?

by jambolyajones on Nov 27, 2006 3:57 PM EST Comment 7 comments

Reports say that the Pirates are thinking about Dunn. The Orioles just signed former closer Danys Baez to 6 mill over the next 3 years.

So, does anyone else out there think Krivsky could put Dunn on the market to create a bidding war for Mike Gonzales and Chris Ray?

I'd be happy to have either of those young closers in the 9th for the next 3 or 4 years. Anyone disagree?

If you were Krivsky, would you pull off a one-for-one deal (excluding minor-league players), or would you hold out for veteran players to be included? Or would you hang on to Dunn?

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Hang on to Dunn

I like Gonzalez, but if all Dunn can bring back is a pitcher that throws 50-60 innings a year and some throw in minor leaguers, then it would be foolish to trade him. Relief pitchers do not pitch anywhere near enough to be worth a hitter who is a top 10 hitter at his position. Plus, if Dunn were traded just for a reliever (or even two), the bullpen may be better but the offense would be as bad as the bullpen was in 2006.

Wily Mo Pena brought Bronson Arroyo in 2005, and he has all of Dunn's flaws without the OBP ability. I know Dunn is more expensive, but I don't see how he brings the Reds less than a low #2 or high #3 - especially given the prices on the free agent market.

by Slyde on Nov 27, 2006 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

Repeat after me, WayneK: "Do not trade above-average starting position players for relievers."

In any case, another reason not to trade Dunn (as explored more thoroughly in the Adam Dunn thread) is that the Reds do not really need a low #2 or high #3 if it comes at the expense of their already weak offense (which did not get appreciably stronger as a result of Alex Gonzalez getting starter's at-bats in place of Royce McClayton).

If Dunn is traded, the enormous sucking sound you will hear is from the vacuum that the offense will become. There aren't even a lot of free agent bats available to replace Dunn's offense, even if Castellini were willing to pay for them (Aramis Ramirez, Frank Thomas, Soriano and Carlos Lee are all gone, three of them to division rivals) unless you want to bet on the durability of JD Drew or (ugh) Barry Bonds. (A collision between Drew and Griffey Jr. would likely wipe out two thirds of the Reds outfield for the rest of the season, if it ever came to pass. I would have to boo a player on my own team if Bonds ever donned a Reds uniform.)

Don't mind me...just thinking positive and pitching to contact, that's all...

by Paul Householder on Nov 27, 2006 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs