Jayson Starks Top 10 to watch as the trade deadline approaches

[LincolnparkRed]

Per Espn

Burnett
Lowell
Thome
Dunn

It isn't every July you get a chance to trade for a 25-year-old with a better career home run ratio than A-Rod, Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle. But Dunn fits that description, and clubs that have talked with the Reds say Dunn is definitely on the market. There are indications the Astros have made him their No. 1 target -- with both of their top pitching prospects (Fernando Nieve and Taylor Buchholz) potentially being involved. The Reds, however, don't do anything fast (except release slumping closers). And they still aren't sure they'll even trade Dunn. Clubs speaking with the Reds say they're debating whether they'd rather deal Wily Mo Pena. And an official of one team that has been in touch with them says they'll "consider" deals for Junior Griffey (even though Griffey has said he'd veto any deal) -- but not Austin Kearns. Nevertheless, there's no bat on the market more attractive than Dunn. So the big question, between now and deadline day, is whether the Astros, Dodgers, Mets, Indians, Red Sox or anyone else can afford Dunn's humongous price tag.

Thome
Wagner
Chacon
Arroyo
Baez
Lilly
Randa

MARKET REPORT
Randa is the other third baseman on the menu for teams that don't want Lowell's price tag. But despite all that talk of a bidding frenzy building around the eminently available Randa, clubs that have spoken with the Reds say he's been insanely overpriced. The White Sox, Indians and Twins have had some degree of interest. But all those teams are believed to view Randa as no more than a secondary priority. "We're just lukewarm about him," said an official of one team that at least checked in on Randa. "He's had a nice year. But he's never played on a winning team. And he's not the kind of player you overpay for."

[OSURedLeg]

Other GMs annoyed with O'Brien's incompetence? I'm absolutely SHOCKED!

[Jpup]

This is what I want to hear. Someone will bite on Randa next week. As for Dunn, if they trade him, they are simply nuts.

4th in NL in HR
3rd in NL in BB
5th in NL in OPS
4th in NL in Runs
7th in NL in Slugging

I used to be one of the guys that said I would trade Dunn for a bunch of help in other areas, but trading him would be like St. Louis trading Albert Pujols. He should have a high price tag. I don't believe that anyone is not tradeable, but Dunn is about as close as it gets. Nieve and Buchholz wouldn't even get me started.

As for Pena, I haven't heard much about him being traded. I don't even know what the market for him would be. I think he is a good hitter and will only get better, but I would in no way put him in Adam Dunn territory. Griffey is tradable and if the Yankees don't get what they want before the end of next week, I think they will take a shot at him.

[NJReds]

Other GMs annoyed with O'Brien's incompetence? I'm absolutely SHOCKED!

Incompetence because he won't give his players away? I think other GM's are annoyed because they thought they'd be able to fleece him in a deal right away.

[OSURedLeg]

Incompetence that he's asking for Jeremy Sowers & another prospect for Randa. He may just price Randa right out of the trade market. And then we get nothing & EdE won't begin to get true MLB experience until next season.

[Jpup]

Here's what Buster Olney had to say about Adam Dunn in his morning chat session:

Steezo (Ashtabula ,Oh)
Your take on Sabathia for Dunn, shouldn't Cleveland get more?

BUSTER OLNEY
Steezo: No way should Cleveland do a deal like this. And the other factor is that Sabathia, who just signed a long-term deal, could demand a trade and force his way out of Cincinnnati.


Buster Olney is an idiot.

[Jpup]

Incompetence that he's asking for Jeremy Sowers & another prospect for Randa. He may just price Randa right out of the trade market. And then we get nothing & EdE won't begin to get true MLB experience until next season.

or the Indians will give in and give up Sowers.

[OSURedLeg]

or the Indians will give in and give up Sowers.

If that's the case Jpup, I'd gladly shut my yapper for the rest of the season. O'Brien would find a place in my heart if he could pull that off

[Jpup]

Steve Phillips (moments ago on Dunn)

Steve, What are your thought on the Reds getting rid of Dunn? I have heard Indians and the Cubs.

Steve Phillips: (12:15 PM ET ) Adam Dunn is the most interesting consideration for the Reds. He will make close to $9 million through arbitration and the Reds can't afford him and Griffey with such a low overall payroll. Dunn would be interesting at the deadline and I suspect the Reds could bring back one ML ready starting pitcher, on nearly ready pitcher and possibly a position prospect. Teams in the race would have interest but also clubs who are not in the race because they can control his contract after this year and manipulate their roster to afford his salary. He would be a great fit for the Blue Jays who need power and like OBP. The Jays have about $160M to spend in '06-'07.

I also sent him a question I will let you know if he answers it.

[thorn]

Obrien seems to be playing the trading game correctly. There is NO NEED to jump at the first offer, unless the offer is a pitcher ready to jump into the rotation this year or next, no more projects that will take 2-3-4 years to show up in the bigs. It's kind of like falling in love with the first girl you lay, you don't do that either. Patience is the key here, the closer we get to the trade deadline, the more desperate teams will be.

[OSURedLeg]

Lord I hope he's wrong. The only comfort I can find with this is that Steve Phillips is no longer a GM for a reason :ughmamoru

[Tony Cloninger]

Agree.....NJ.

I do not like DO either......tried to give him time to do things...but he looks like a bad GM.

However.....he gets blasted for not doing anything.....then blasted for not trying to get enough.

Hold out for as much as you can. That is what he should do for Dunn or Pena..... Randa he can be more flexible but don't just give him away either.

[REDREAD]

clubs that have spoken with the Reds say he's [Randa] been insanely overpriced. The White Sox, Indians and Twins have had some degree of interest. But all those teams are believed to view Randa as no more than a secondary priority

Way to go DanO, let's alienate potential trading partners and have them look elsewhere for an offense boost. The Indians are not stupid. They aren't going to trade Sowers and another prospect to rent Randa for a half season.
It will certainly be interesting to see how the chips fall in a Randa trade. My guess is that DanO is way overplaying his hand, and isn't going to score much in the end.

[larryboy]

O'Brien is a mess. This team juat is not close right now. They need to rebuild and add as many good young players as possible. Opening a spot to allow a young guy to play also has value for the Reds right now. Keeping an overload in one area also does not help. O'Brien just does not get the concept of rebuilding and opening spots for guys. Yes its tough to give up good players, but they are currency to be used to add for the future.

A side note, how much does the Reds possibly being for sale effect this inaction? Could the lack of movement also be driven by the fear of devalueing the CURRENT franchise value at the expense of the future.

[redsandrails]

How about Dunn and Claussen for Halladay and Alexis Rios??

Anyways...This is crazy...

Look at the discussed bats-

Thome- 193 AB, .207, 7 HR, 30 RBI, .360, .352, .712. 34 years, 13 million.
Dunn- 297 AB, .242, 24 HR, 54 RBI, .391, .562, .953. 25 years, 4.6 million.

Dunn is better in EVERY offensive category, 9 years younger and 9 million cheaper. Thome is really struggling....Damaged goods.

Lowell- 300 AB, .227, 4 HR, 36 RBI, .280, .350, .630. 31 years, 7.5 million.
Randa- 315 AB, .292, 12 HR, 45 RBI, .360, .489, .848. 35 years, 2.1 million.

Randa demolishes Lowell in all offensive categories as well. This is a no brainer... Both Thome and Lowell are damaged goods....Dunn and Randa are clearly not.