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What have you Dunn for me lately?April 28th, 2008
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.192, three home runs, eight RBIs and 23 strikeouts, those are Adam Dunn’s statistics in 24 games so far this season.
This would be fine if he weren’t our starting left fielder and the highest payed position player on the roster.
My problem isn’t necessarily with the inordinate amount of strikeouts, the pedestrian batting average or even the astronomical salary.
My problem with Adam Dunn is that he’s on the wrong team.
The Cincinnati Reds are a team whose only legitimate threat to bat .300 is a white guy with no clear position. That said, we’re loaded with guys who will hit between .240 and .260 while belting between 30 and 45 home runs every season.
We don’t need another one, especially one who’s a liability defensively and a mortal lock to give my father at least three nervous breakdowns in any given week.
Here’s a perfect example of what I’m talking about: I (stupidly) drove home to catch the game against the Giants last Friday night. I watched painfully as rookie pitcher and–as luck would have it– Columbus native Randy Sanchez shut us down inning after inning. Until, finally, a glimmer of hoped seemed to exist in the sixth inning when Edwin Encarnacion drew a two-out walk–it was our first base runner since the first inning. When Dunn strolled to the plate I looked at Kate and told her flatly, “He’s going to pop out; you watch.”
Four pitches into the at-bat, Encarnacion took off for second, and when the throw sailed into center field Encarnacion strolled into third. At this point, we had a chance. All we needed now was a single, a simple base hit, to knot up the ball game.
I sat there, engrossed in the game, hoping against all hope that Dunn would defy the odds and knock in the tying run, but my pseudo-faith would go for not.
“I [freaking] knew it! I honestly knew it,” I yelled aloud, startling Kate, who’d begun to drift off next to me.
Here’s another example: In game two against the Giants the following night, the Reds pounded out 15 hits and 10 runs as everyone in the starting lineup got a hit, that’s right, except for Dunn.
It’s also important to know where I’m coming from here. I have not always harbored such a frustration for him. In fact, I used to be on of his biggest suporters, clamoring on about the same points that Dunn supporters use today, “He’ll still hit between 40 and 50 home runs; he’ll lead the league in walks; it’s not like we have a better alternative in left field.”
But, here’s the thing. We do have a better alternative in left field now. We have several, as a matter of fact. When Alex Gonzalez gets healthy and returns to man shortstop Jeff Keppinger will need a position and is more than capable of playing left field.
However, an even better alternative exists: Bring up Jay Bruce, let him play center field and then platoon the combination of Ryan Freel, Corey Patterson and Jerry Hairston Jr. in left.
Why has this avenue not been explored more? I read a story last week saying that Reds brass, including Manager Dusty Baker, does not want to rush Bruce or top pitching prospect Homer Bailey into the big leagues. This mentality is founded upon the idea that sending them back down, after calling them up, could prove detrimental to their development. This is certainly a rational thought process and one that warrants a fair amount of consideration.
But, Bruce, right now, would be a better fit in our lineup than Adam Dunn.
It’s that simple.
Dunn will, more than likely, be gone after this season when his contract expires. Bruce will be in our starting outfield at the beginning of next season anyway. Let’s give the him a chance now.
I don’t mean to blame all the problem’s the offense is having on Adam Dunn, however, I fervently contend that our offense is a lot better off without him in it.
There’s a youth movement taking place in Cincinnati. Guys like Jonny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Joey Votto have already made major contributions this season, and will be one of the biggest reasons we’re in a pennant race come September. They need some help, though, and Jay Bruce may provide just the shot in the arm this team is looking for.
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