RUMOR: Nationals, White Sox Not Discussing Adam Dunn?

by Justin Bopp on Jan 29, 2012 3:59 PM EST in MLB Rumors

3:59 p.m. EST: From Jim Bowden of ESPN.com:

There have been rumors that the Nats had interest in reacquiring Adam Dunn...Mike Rizzo confirmed to me today that there is NO TRUTH to it!

As we said before to everyone, this was simply a rumor that we were passing on from a single source as we tried to find confirmation. There was serious consideration put in on our part as to whether this rumor was worth posting, and ultimately we decided that it was worthwhile with the proper caveats. This is a rumor site, after all.

For now, we appreciate pretty much everyone for recognizing our efforts to convey these rumors as responsibly as possible. It was Kenny Williams that we were talking about, after all, and I still never quite get what the heck he's doing.

- Satchel Price

2:21 p.m. EST: The Washington Nationals are offering Drew Storen to the Chicago White Sox in an effort to bring back Adam Dunn, MLBDD has learned. We are still attempting to confirm with a second source.

The amount the White Sox would kick in to send Dunn back after an extremely disappointing 2011 campaign is the question. The White Sox signed him in 2010 to a 4-year, $56 million deal.

The potential trade comes after Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers, taking away the Nationals' primary off-season slugging target. Dunn did have success with the Nats for the two years he was there, hitting 76 home runs and driving in 208. Dunn, 32, is a career .243 / .374 / .503 hitter, clearly earning his value through walks and power, but 2011 was an unmitigated disaster for him -- he hit just .159 / .292 / .277 and bombed just 11.

Storen, 24, is a right-handed pitcher and has seen 130 innings over his first two seasons, earning a 3.10 ERA while closing for the Nats. His name has been attached to several rumors since at least last summer.

If the move happens -- and file it strictly under rumors for now -- it would be a clear signal the Nationals are moving into a win-now mode, and further signs the White Sox are looking to rebuild.

Again, this is strictly a rumor that we have not confirmed with a second source yet. We'll do so when we can.

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Comments

Huhh?

This must be nonsense. Why would Nats give up Storen without a viable Closer to backfill in order to give up defense at 1B if they wanted to win NOW? I’d want WhiteSox to pay $32M of the remaining $44M on Dunn’s contract, and trade him straight up for Adam Laroche and ask WS to pick up Laroche’s $8M for 2012. And I’d ask for another 1B to stand behind Dunn to pick up the balls that he boots.

by kzgqgf on Jan 29, 2012 3:13 PM EST reply actions

MLBDD spoke with a source, that's all I can say at this point.

My logic: Nationals signed Lidge, could potentially see this deal as an opportunity to get a big bat for quite cheap. If the Sox are willing to eat like $25 million, it would be fairly reasonable. And I’ll add that, when speaking with the editor, it was never clarified whether Dunn-for-Storen is merely the framework to a deal that could include other pieces.

I really would like to discuss this further, but I don’t have all of the details.

Something like Dunn, $20 million and a prospect for Storen and LaRoche could make sense. Nats end up paying Dunn like $16 million over three years while adding a prospect in exchange for Storen.

Newsdesk contributor to SB Nation Midwest. Baseball writer for Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish.

I'm one of those Twitter persons, too.

by Satchel Price on Jan 29, 2012 3:23 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry ...

Still think someone is pulling your chain. Lidge is no closer anymore, in fact, I’d be worried he exits for rotator-cuff surgery before the season opens. Hard to see how a Dunn/Storen framework ends up making the team better even if Nats got a MLB ready CF in the deal. In my opinion.

by kzgqgf on Jan 29, 2012 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

April Fools!

Check out DC is for Baseball and 2011 Nationals Draft Info!

by what Juneau about that? on Jan 29, 2012 3:22 PM EST reply actions

Hey, it doesn't make total sense.

And I’m not going to go off trying to defend this because this isn’t a source that I’ve spoken with.

But I will note one thing, and that’s the tendency of Chicago’s front office to pull off major surprises.

Such as…

- Peavy trades.
- Rios claim.
- Santos trade.
- Danks extension.

Newsdesk contributor to SB Nation Midwest. Baseball writer for Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish.

I'm one of those Twitter persons, too.

by Satchel Price on Jan 29, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions

Nothing personal. Gave me time to think about creative ways to kill myself on a Sunday afternoon :)

Check out DC is for Baseball and 2011 Nationals Draft Info!

by what Juneau about that? on Jan 29, 2012 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

If the Sox make a move within the next week

They will more than likely trade Paul Konerko to Texas for young pitching and just as young infield help.

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by Jessy S on Jan 29, 2012 9:28 PM EST up reply actions

I will bet you anything that trade doesn't happen.

"Many people need desperately to receive this message: 'I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone.'"

by U-God on Jan 29, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Not going to happen

Konerko is very likely the only “untouchable” player on the White Sox today. The only time I see them moving Paulie is towards the end of his contract if the Sox are not in contention and if Konerko wants to move to a contender for a shot at another ring.

I don’t know why some keeping insisting the Sox have this god awful infield.. they don’t.

by 815Sox on Jan 30, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

JimBowdenESPNxm JIM BOWDEN
There have been rumors that the Nats had interest in reacquiring Adam Dunn…Mike Rizzo confirmed to me today that there is NO TRUTH to it!

MLB Daily Dish… or @MLBInsideNews ?

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by GiantPain on Jan 29, 2012 3:55 PM EST reply actions

Hey, we tried very hard to make it clear that we weren't totally sure on this.

We’re a rumor site, though, and when we get our hands on something potentially legit with a source claiming so, we’re going to run with it. Obviously we want to be as responsible as possible with our reporting, and I thought we made it quite clear that we were still trying to find a second source to confirm the report.

Ultimately, our source appears to be incorrect, but I think that we make it clear from the beginning that this was an entirely possible ending to the situation.

Newsdesk contributor to SB Nation Midwest. Baseball writer for Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish.

I'm one of those Twitter persons, too.

by Satchel Price on Jan 29, 2012 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Be Cool

This isn’t a personal attack. Keep doing what you are doing. Blogs being blogs, people will reply with opinions …

I rather enjoyed the exchange, so thanks.

by kzgqgf on Jan 29, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Yup, I know we went about this the right way.

Glad to see that a lot of people really enjoy what we do.

Newsdesk contributor to SB Nation Midwest. Baseball writer for Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish.

I'm one of those Twitter persons, too.

by Satchel Price on Jan 29, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

I certainly do too.

And I though “no way” to this. There is no freaking way that a team would be interested in Adam Dunn unless they want an expensive utility player.

Check out my eBay items.

by Jessy S on Jan 29, 2012 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

You don't know what a utility player is, do you?

by U-God on Jan 29, 2012 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Heh.

Newsdesk contributor to SB Nation Midwest. Baseball writer for Beyond the Box Score and MLB Daily Dish.

I'm one of those Twitter persons, too.

by Satchel Price on Feb 1, 2012 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

Ah ha

Now I understand those “Adam arrives in Flrida looking trim” stories yesterday. A last touchup from the detail shop before Adam hits the lot with a “will trade for best offer” placard in the front window. I could see the Nats trying to return Gorzy and some cash to the “other” side of town.

by jjmalden on Jan 29, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions