Nationals Look To Trade Adam Dunn & Nick Johnson

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jun 18, 2009 10:29 AM EDT Comment 3 comments

According to the Washington Times, The Washington Nationals all-out fire sale may be right around the corner.

Currently the Nationals are 17-42, and sit in the cellar of the NL East. The Nationals lone remaining competition for the year is to try an avoid breaking the 1962 Mets worst record of 40-120.

Last week the Nationals made Stephen Strasburg the number one overall pick in the First-Year Player draft, and are expected to attempt to clear funds to make a run at signing Strasburg.

Several players are expected to be available, most notably first baseman Nick Johnson and outfielder Adam Dunn. Johnson seems to be the most likely candidate to be dealt after his strong start and impending free agency. Johnson who is batting .311 5hrs, and 32rbi will be a prime target for several teams. Expect the Red Sox and Mets to be very serious contenders. Another player the Nationals would love to move is outfielder Adam Dunn. He is scheduled to make 8 million dollars this year. Dunn, known primarly as a slugging outfielder is batting .259 18hrs, and 56rbi.

In addition to those two the Nationals have several other players they would seem ably entertain offers for. Expect the Nationals to listen to offers for SS Christian Guzman who is batting .323. Guzman could draw interest from several teams looking for middle infield depth. Also look for the Nationals to field offers for outfield Austin Kearns. He is scheduled to make 8 million this year as well, but his poor start may make Kearns difficult to move.

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Trading Dunn just seems silly.

At least when you consider that they just signed him this off-season. They couldn’t have thought they’d compete in 2009 then, so how has anything changed? Something we don’t know about?

Actually, was it Bowden who signed Dunn or the current GM?

I’m shocked nobody’s acquired Nick Johnson yet. I don’t think the Delcarmen/Johnson rumor was true, but if the Red Sox really turned that down, they’re crazy. Johnson is a really good player.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Jun 19, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think originally the Nationals were attempting to add someone who could be a temporary face of the organization, after their failed attempt to pursuade teixiera to sign. Ultimately Dunn was not viewed as a long term solution, however, following his performance at the WBC his stock was steadily increasing.

I believe the Nationals plans for the future have changed dramatically over the course of the last two weeks. First drafting Stephen Strasburg, and now it appears they will be the front runner for Bryce Harper. Expect the Nationals to eliminate as many contracts as possible in order to assure themselves that both of those players will be signed. The Nationals appear to have hit the “jackpot” two years in a row.

by Matt Buggenhagen on Jun 19, 2009 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Having to spend huge sums of money, enough so that players like Adam Dunn have to be moved, doesn't seem like "jackpot" to me.

If they get fair value for Dunn in prospects, I agree it’s probably a smart move, but funny that they just signed him and he’s having a good year. Have a plan, stick to it. They knew they’d be getting Strasburg for a while now.

Beyond the Boxscore // Calling BJ Upton lazy is lazy.

by Sky Kalkman on Jun 19, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs