Dunn#039;s fate remains uncertain
Published 12:00 am Sunday, July 31, 2005
As the clock keeps ticking, Cincinnati Reds fans wait anxiously to see if there is an explosion at 4 o'clock or if this whole situation is defused.
The possible bomb that could drop is the trading of slugging outfielder Adam Dunn, the top trade commodity the Reds have to offer to contending teams.
Of course, Reds general manager Dan O'Brien said he will not trade any of his young players … unless the deal is just too good to turn down.
The term "too good" leaves a large gray area for O'Brien. Just what constitutes a good trade. In the Reds way of
thinking, getting rid of a player who will demand and receive in the neighborhood of $8 million this winter in arbitration would be a good deal.
Dunn's home run and RBI prowess are enticing to any team. By today's standards, he deserves to live in the $8 million neighborhood, but that neighborhood may be outside of the Great American Ball Park city limits.
The Reds already pay Ken Griffey Jr. more than $10 million a year. The thought of Dunn getting almost as much probably has owner Carl Lindner checking his payroll.
It's unfortunate if the Reds think this way, especially when they decided to pay pitcher Eric Milton $6 million to help opponents win the home run hitting title instead of Dunn.
Like Griffey, Dunn has drawing power. Fans come to the ball park to watch him hit the ball into the Ohio River. They plunk their money down at the ticket window to see Dunn and Griffey, not bad investments like Paul Wilson, Ramon Ortiz and Milton who form a pitching stiffs instead of a pitching staff.
Reds fans are the ones who should be angry if Dunn or Austin Kearns or Griffey are dealt. To have a championship caliber team, good players are needed.
Cincinnati can't keep trading good players for potential minor leaguers. The building process will never maturate. It's the old saying, to make money you have to spend money. If the Reds want to put fans in the stands and reap the benefits of making the playoffs, then spend some money on the players, namely the main players such as Griffey, Kearns, Pena and, of course, Dunn.
There's a chance - a good one - that Dunn will be in a Reds uniform past 4 p.m. Dunn wants to stay in Cincinnati. He wants to sign a long-term contract. The Reds won't discuss contracts until the offseason and Dunn said he respects the policy.
What Dunn doesn't like is all the talk on a daily basis regarding his status. The easy-going outfielder and former
University of Texas quarterback just wants to get back to concentrating on baseball, particularly hitting the baseball.
You see, when Dunn hits a baseball, it often explodes off his bat. Let's hope the only explosion at 4 o'clock today is Dunn's bat making contact with a San Diego pitcher's offering.
Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.