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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy is in his 36th year of covering the Cincinnati Reds, the longest tenure for any active writer covering one team. Counting spring training and postseason games, McCoy has covered more than 7,000 major-league baseball games, written close to 18,000 baseball stories and eaten enough hot dogs to give Babe Ruth indigestion.Home > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > May > 17 > Entry
Adam Dunn - The Big Lug
When Adam Dunn’s favorite Mexican restaurant in Porter, Texas, burned to the ground - probably the only Mexican restaurant in Porter, Texas - Dunn paid to have it rebuilt.
In thanks, the owners named an enchilada after him - most likely the biggest one on the menu.
Adam Dunn - The Big Lug, The Big Enchilada - fans either love him or hate him, depending upon what week it is and what he has done for the Cincinnati Reds lately.
And believe me, for those who think he doesn’t care, when he is going bad and fans hate him, nobody hates him more than he hates himself. It tears him up, changes his usual outgoing personality.
Fans believe he doesn’t hustle, doesn’t give it his all. That’s an illusion. C’mon, the guy is 6-7 and 275 pounds and getting that wide-body started is like starting a locomotive pulling 100 coal cars.
This week he is Mr. Wonderful after hitting home runs in three straight games. He won Saturday’s game with a three-run walkoff home run in the ninth. On Friday he walked with the bases loaded to force in the winning run after hitting a home run earlier in the game.
Up to now, all we’ve heard is, “Trade him, trade him, trade him.” Well, for one thing, he has a clause in his contract saying he can’t be traded until June.
That fits nicely into what the Reds can do, should GM Walt Jocketty choose to trade him. Jay Bruce is waiting in Louisville, very patiently, while he destroys the International League with his Louisville Slugger.
All of us want to see Bruce in a Reds uniform as soon as possible - actually we wanted to see him on Opening Day. But if the Reds wait until June, they save a year of arbitration-eligibility and free agency, which means big bucks.
So, they trade Dunn in June and replace him with Bruce. Simple, right? Dunn is a free agent after this season and although nobody has said it, the Reds probably believe he’ll be too costly to retain. So, they trade him before the end of the season so they get players for him.
Me? I hope they don’t rush to judgment.
Let me go on record right now - Dunn will hit between 35 and 40 homers, drive in 90 to 100, walk 100 times and score 100 runs. If he doesn’t do three of those four things, I’ll run around Great American Ball Park in my underwear. I have some nice new Fruit of the Looms and I’ll save one pair to wear.
Don’t think I’ll have to do that, though.
His defense is heavily criticized and sometimes it is deserved. He has said often, “I’ll never win a gold glove.” In fact, I’ll use the same line on him I once used on Wily Mo Pena - he probably couldn’t get his glove through an airport metal detector.
But if you’ve paid attention this year, he is better. He has made some excellent catches in the gaps and did you see that catch he made Saturday, reaching into the stands in left field to snatch a foul ball?
There is one thing that I don’t understand and that’s his weak arm. I mean, the guy throws a football 60 yards in the air. The University of Texas recruited him as a quarterback. So why can’t he throw a teeny little baseball? I can’t explain it because I could never throw a football or a baseball.
There is a great statistic floating out there. During his career, Dunn has done one of three things in nearly 50 percent of his at bats - walk, hit a home run or strike out.
That’s absolutely amazing.
But for now let’s get off his case. It isn’t totally his fault the Reds remain in last place. But he is a big reason the Reds beat the Cleveland Indians the last two days.
Let’s see what Jocketty and the Reds decide in June or up until the trade deadline in late July. Dunn can still help this team turn it around.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Adam Dunn
Comments
By Steve83
May 19, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Trade Griffey! Dunn is fine!By Coach
May 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Although Votto is very good at first—a great move for the future, as I have said before—would be to play Votto in left field, and Dunn at first base. Tell the big fella that is where he will play, in order to strengthen this baseball team. I do not believe first base is harder to play; nor do I think Dunn would be unable to accomplish it. One reason makes this a no brainer: Votto is a better athlete and would cover more ground—getting more quickly to balls down the line, as well as, in the left-centerfield gap, and balls hit in front of him. Then you’d have Votto-LF; Bruce-RF and “whatever” in CF,until such time as Rusty-Dusty comes to his senses; or the Reds sign a Willie Mays. By putting Dunn at first base next Spring—you put him at a position where his height is an advantage; and his weight and slowness are not a detriment to the team, or to himself, as a defensive player. Valentin is not considered a first baseman—and he did just fine yesterday!Dunn could greatly help this team, if he’d agree to do this!In addition, I and others could live with his propensity for strikeouts—if we could see the team strengthened defensively. THIS—as opposed to trading him, would be an intelligent move! I don’t agree with Hal’s opinion on this.By Y-City Jim
May 19, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Tell me another outfielder the Reds can get that can equal Dunn’s average output of over 100 runs scored per year and over a 100 runs driven in per year. Griffey I have no argument with in seeing that he has become a liability to play especially at his current salary. If outfielders are a dime a dozen then why are we stuck with playing Corey Patterson?By mrw
May 19, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
I don’t have a problem with Dunn, I have a problem with losing. Outfielders are a dime a dozen. Why pay 25 million dollars for 2 of them when you could have just as good for much less. THEN, take that 25 million and invest in the best pitchers money can buy. Do that , and watch the Reds win!By mrw
May 19, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
It is foolish to spend 25 million dollars on 2 players with an 80 million dollar payroll. Unless that person is a top shelf pitcher, who can make a difference in the win/loss column. Obviously, Dunn can’t i.e. losing seasons every year he’s been here.By Y-City Jim
May 18, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Dunn a weak arm? Since when? The Reds have always been losers since Dunn has been here. Doesn’t that losing have more to do with the lousy pitching over that stretch of time? The Reds are insane if they don’t make an honest attempt to resign him.By got milk
May 18, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Adam Dunn was also a hot prospect. He finished second in BA’s Minor League Player of the Year race the year Josh Beckett won it. And it was a split decision. Austin Kearns had/has better baseball instincts than does Dunn, but would any GM trade Dunn for Kearns even up? Only the GM who has Kearns. Dunn may be a two-dimensional player, but those two dimensions (getting on base and hitting with power) are the two most difficult tools to find. Trading Dunn for prospects this year means not making a playoff run until 2010, at the earliest. And then only if the Reds can come up with two other outfielders to play with Jay. I don’t see two guys in the farm system ready to step in. Trading Dunn for half a season isn’t going to net a ML-ready prospect. I guess the Reds could put Freel in left, Hopper in center and Bruce in right, but that hardly seems like a playoff calibre outfield. Even if the Reds sign the kids to long term deals, the upfront years of those deals won’t cost much, so the Reds will still have money to pay Dunn. And revenue sharing should continue to grow, providing additional money to pay the kids during their arbitration years at the same time as paying Dunn. The time when it becomes too expensive is when the kids are in their free agent years (even if the Reds have bought out those years ahead of time), but that’s not for another 6 or 7 years, and that’s when Dunn’s contract would come off the books.By Ted L
May 18, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Adam Dunn will be traded this year and he’ll be offered a long term contract. That’s because Bob C. likes him. I think it was the Dusty press conference, when someone asked if Dunn will be back this year and Bob C. spoke up and said “Adam Dunn will be here”.By Sigh Yung
May 18, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Nice to see Dusty found Valentin on the bench! Talk about misused—his pinch hitting skills have apparently been forgotten.Not a bad right-handed stick off the bench; or better yet, left-handed. I think he should hit left-handed all the time—regardless of the pitcher! Great response from Votto today, off the bench! Can’t wait to see Votto—Bruce in the lineup together. It is STILL early—and the REDS will win their division! Mark it down!By Coach
May 18, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
Griffey for some time now is not seeing, or swinging at, the best pitches that he sees. He is taking early fastballs “right down broadway”and then swinging at pitches out of the strike zone. Low and away is, historically, the pitch that gets him out. It seems a good idea to “see” a few pitches before swinging in many cases—but good pitchers are only showing him one, or two pitches that are swing worthy—and he is letting them go by, then swinging at the pitcher’s pitch for an out. He is also, trying to pull everything. They are giving him fastballs on the outside corner,which he should be driving to left-center—but it appears that his stubborn ego keeps him from doing that. His bunt attempts have been pathetic—once he misses one attempt, he goes back to pulling the next swings.He can “talk” all he wants to the press, about “team”—he has no intention of helping anyone but himself!He and Homer are two peas in a pod. Dunn was doing the same thing prior to getting in his groove! The really good opposing pitchers will pitch them both low and away,to get them out whether they are in a groove, or not. Nothing will change with Griffey’s attitude, it seems—Dunn is a different story, it appears.By Dan
May 18, 2008 7:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t think so Milk. Bruce is a five-tool player and a hot prospect with more natural talent than Dunn. The point you keep missing is the $. I would rather the front office offered Votto, Bruce, the rookie SPs to long term deals sooner rather than later. That way they cna save money by not waiting till they are all-stars and up for new contracts. Dunn is not worth the investment. I love Dunn. I saw him when he first broke out at Dayton on numerous occasions. He is a great guy, but…BUT…he is too expensive for the Reds (a MID-market team then) when they have so much talent coming up in the next few years. If we can get prospects for Dunn it would be foolish not to pull the trigger. Dunn cant be the highest paid/franchise player. He is not rounded enough to build a franchise around.By got milk
May 18, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
Except that the Reds aren’t small market anymore. Not with the way revenue sharing has exploded over the past several years. JimBo, John Allen and Carl Lindner hid behind that skirt for years to the point that Reds fans bought it. Thankfully Bob C. understands differently. He knows that the Reds can afford a $80-$90 million payroll, and with that much payroll, the Reds can afford 3-4 players making $10+ million. If the Reds can’t afford to keep a .400 OB% guy who scores 100 runs and knocks in 100 runs, they should resign from the National League and join the International League. By the time Jay Bruce approaches those numbers he will be arbitration eligible and Reds fans will be clammoring for him to be traded.By OakwoodTucky
May 18, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed that Ken Griffey Jr. can’t seem to catch up to a major league fastball anymore? I agree that he taps out, strikes out, pops out WAAAAYYY too often. He’s either lost his timing, his bat speed, his reflexes, his keen eye or his desire. Or all of the above. He certainly looks to be bored and to have lost his enthusiasm and passion that dubbed him “The Kid.” Is it an attitude problem? Perhaps the suggested change of scenery would ignite his passions for the rest of the year in Seattle and he could retire as a Mariner as he so desires. Kenny, we hardly knew ya!By Matt
May 18, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Those people will never be happy…or right.By HuberTucky
May 18, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
Dunn is a hot/cold-type of hitter. Hal, you have aptly described the guy and his numbers. He is a producer. But Reds followers have never been very patient. Now let’s address the REAL problem, and it’s NOT Dunn. The real problem is Griffey. He sucks and is attitude of apathy sucks even worse. So sick of watching him meekly tap out, pop out, strike out, not hustle, and look so damned bored. He’s lost his passion for the game — it’s so obvious. He hates when he’s not being worshipped and he’s doing nothing to earn worship. It’s a standstill. A win/win trade to Seattle makes everybody happy — and hello Bruce!By Dan
May 18, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Got Milk, As one of the experts commenting on the article, I just want take some time to explain the argument here. You obviously missed the point, most likely because you were focused on that diatribe. Yes, Adam Dunn has talent. Yes he can knock in 40 HR, 100 RBI. But for all he contributes he still has his weaknesses. For a small market team like the Reds to spend half the payroll in order to get him signed at the end of the season would be poor financial judgment and signify a lack of concern for future budget consequences. It would also limit the ability to get potential stars like Votto, Bruce, Volquez etc. signed to long-term deals. The bottom line- he simply is not worth the investment it would require to keep him around. Dunn is more suited for the AL, and since we will likely be unable to sign him after this season we should certainly try to get something in return for him this season. The Reds are not going to contend this year. It is time admit we are building for the future. We have a lot of good prospects who should be given an opportunity to get some experience. I think we should trade anyone who is not included in plans for the future if we can get any value in return. I would imagine this would include Hatt, Griffey, Fogg. My personal hope is the Reds send someone to Texas to get a catcher in return- the Rangers have a surplus of highly rated catchers, and rumors have it Laird could be available. Whatever your opinions are, if you have disagreements with one of the posts in the future I would encourage you to look at attacking the argument as opposed to attacking the author(s). Everyone is entitled to his own opinion. Besides, half the fun of being an Ohio sports fan (or sports fan in general) is talking about what you would do differantly. This is especially true of losing teams.Lord knows there have been plenty of those for Cincinnati Fans.By Matt
May 18, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
People just think that a player making $8mil+ should be hitting home runs, playing perfect defense, delivering babies, and sometimes walking on water.By Jeremy
May 18, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
I just don’t understand the logic in some of these arguments. People say that he is aided by the short right field…If Dunn does anything, he gets his money worth on home runs. Did you see the walk-off? That thing was a row from leaving the park. The other thing I don’t understand is saying that his numbers are only good because GABP helps left-handed hitters. SO WHAT?!?! Dunn will play the majority of the games this season at GABP? Isn’t it better to have a guy that can play to the strengths of his stadium? Say what you want about his low BA, but he gets the runs in and thats all that matters. If you want to get on somebody, try Affeldt after the crappy inning he just had.By got milk
May 18, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Right on que, Dunner puts the Reds ahead with a RBI in his 7th consecutive game with a HR against a lefthanded pitcher. So much for all the experts on this blog. And, ain’t it interesting that folks who have never even managed anything as complex as a lemonade stand know exactly how to run a MLB franchise. I guess that just means that the six or eight teams that will line up this winter to sign Dunn to a $100+ million contract know less about running their franchises that the bloggers here do.By mrw
May 18, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
“Let me go on record right now - Dunn will hit between 35 and 40 homers, drive in 90 to 100, walk 100 times and score 100 runs” Who cares Hal? We’ve had a losing season every year he’s played. You can say it’s not his fault. But, Griffey and Dunn cost, what, 23 million a year? I say blow the team up, a get some gamers in here. Did you see how excited the Marlins players were, before the game. Yes they lost, but they came to play. That is not the mind set of the Reds, has not been since 99. And who did we get shortly after that year?By Dan in DC
May 18, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
So I am fantasizing about potential line-ups for next year. Looking for feedback. 1B- Votto 2B- Phillips 3B- Keppinger SS- Janish LF- Encarnacion CF- Bruce RF- X C- Laird (from Rangers via trade) Harang Volquez Cueto Bailey Lehr/Maloney Any ideas??By RJ
May 18, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Look at their ages - Keep Dunn and trade Griffey! Bruce needs to come up and play RF as soon as possible!! But by keeping Dunn, you don’t put so much pressure on Bruce to supply all of the power. Wake up people!!By CHEVIOT SPORTS AUTHORITY
May 18, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
If the Reds are to contend Dunn and Griffey need to be gone. Especially Griffey. The Crawl to 600 continues! ST CSABy Joe
May 18, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
I am for keeping Dunn in a Reds uniform. Weak arm, weak defense and at best a .275 hitter. But replace his 40 HRs, 100 runs and 100 RBI averages, and see what that will cost. Sign him for the next 5-7 years. This is what really impresses me - he was mad that he didn’t get the bunt down yesterday. Didn’t care about the 449 foot HR he hit, mad he didn’t get the bunt down. Spell that - LEADERSHIP, just what the Reds need!By ShockMonkey
May 18, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
I agree with ctownboy on Dunn. He goes five WEEKS doing nothing then has three good days. Give me a break. Without the short porch of RF, he hits 30 HR’s tops. It’s not that I don’t like the big fella it’s just that I feel we can get a better ROI on someone else with our $13 mil investment. So we sign him next year and beyond for what? $15 to $20 mil a year? No thanks.By Mr. Redlegs (Original)
May 18, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
The simplest questions to the broadest equation: If Dunn is not here next year, who replaces him, does he come close to the numbers, and if so, how much does he cost? There’s no one in the Reds’ system even remotely close. If you can answer those three questions, then you have the answer on whether Dunn should be retained.By Florida Buckeye
May 18, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
It amazes me when people rattle off numbers, and only count the first month and a half of the season: Lifetime, and season numbers are what’s important! Dunn will produce, and his lifetime numbers - unlike Griffey’s - are stable, and what we need, as a Red…keep Dunn, and his cement glove; get rid of Griffey and his “I could care less” body language…By redfuture
May 18, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
Dunn has done much better in the 7th spot of the order. I think it has a lot to do with less pressure. Yes, that’s a lot of money for a 7th hitter but I think he can still drive in 100+ RBI from there. How much less pressure would he feel if Bruce were in the lineup and producing 80% of his AAA numbers. The opposing pitchers have always feared him regardless of his batting average. How do you think they feel after finally working there way to the 7th spot and up comes Dunn! I love it.By Jake
May 18, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
look, I said it earlier and I’ll say it again, (and clearly Mr. McCoy agrees) Dunn will get on base around .400 score 100 and drive in around 90. People say they come at the “wrong time” but they come and it really doesn’t matter when they do, it all evens out (see Bill James Pythagorean baseball formula). He has his deficiencies but he PRODUCES runs year in, year out. He gets a bad rap but he does ALOT of things well. I agree that maybe his time is up as a Red. I think Bruce should be up and he will be eventually. It’d be great to sign him to deal similar to the one Hanley just got (assuming he is as advertised… if he is anywhere near as good as Ramirez, clearly, that would be awesome). Hopefully we can get some more good young pitching when Jocketty inevitably trades Dunn. At least if he gets going a bit, he’ll command more on the market. I loved watching Dunn play for Dayton and maybe it’s not over for him as a Red, but then again, maybe the time has come.By ctownboy
May 18, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
Dunn is currently batting .211. He is “hitting” .167 against Left Handed Pitching (when he gets to play against them. He was benched last Saturday against the Mets and wasn’t allowed to face Johan Santana). He is “hitting” .156 with Runners In Scoring position and has, again, hit more Home Runs at Home than on the Road. That is no great accomplishment considering Bill James says that GASP aids Left Handed hitters’ power numbers by 27%. Before Keppinger was injured, he was leading the team in RBI’s, this, even though, Baker had to move him down in the order and behind Dunn to give Dunn “protection”. Thus costing Keppinger At Bats higher in the order where he could have either gotten on base and/or driven in Runs. Now, to help the team out, Baker has moved Dunn to the seventh spot in the order. It is awfully expensive for a “small market” team to have their SEVENTH place hitter making the most money at $13 million dollars a year. Dunn has cost the Reds at least three Runs this year because of his Defense and Baker has taken him out of Games late because of his D. So Hal, stop being like George Grande and glossing over the negative stuff. The Reds would be BETTER if BOTH Dunn and KGJ were OFF THE TEAM!!!By Max
May 17, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
I love Aaron Harang’s performances. The Reds would be even worse without Aaron Harang. I would say, unequivocally, that Aaron Harang is my favorite member of the Reds.By Mike
May 17, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
Lost in the 3 run HR is another great start by Harang where would the Reds be without him!?