Just Wondering...

[Phhhl]

In an ideal world, the Reds would sign Adam Dunn to a long term deal. That is what I would like to see. However, it seems innevitable that he will be leaving, considering a guy you are hitting seventh in the order is not thought of highly enough to suddenly be making an appearance at a news conference...

So...

Why not explore something with The Nats? In all of his Red-obsessive glory, Jimbo is still missing the one piece he wants most. The Big Donkey.

Here is what might work... Adam Dunn for Austin Kearns and Ross Detwiler. Give the Nats the 72 hours to get a long term deal done with Adam.

Kearns is really struggling this year, but I am not sold he is done. The 8 mil he is getting next year is a savings compared to Dunn's salary, and returning to GABP might rejuvinate his numbers signifigantly. The Reds can evaluate his situation at the end of the 2009 and decide whether to pay him the 10 mil he would be due, or exercise a 1 mil option. Kearns would be a huge upgrade in right when Jr. is gone, and with Krivsky gone I am not certain the front office would be as adverse to putting Bruce in center. Detwiler appears to be Washington's best pitching prospect, and a lefty at that. That fits in nicely with the composition of the rest of our rotation moving forward.

With Jr. and Dunn gone, the Reds are probably going to be tempted to bring in at least one free agent outfielder next year anyway. Kearns is likely to be as attractive an option for 8 mil as the majority on the open market who would demand a similar amount. The Reds should be concerned about the dearth of talent at outfield in this system. So much of the rest of the club is about ready to contend.... there is going to be plenty of money coming off the books to begin with...

I am concerned the Reds are going to find themselves unable to get much for Dunn at the deadline, and unable to sign him even if they suddenly come to their senses and decide they want to. Detwiler would be a nice return all things considered, and Kearns could serve nicely as a power hitting right handed bat in the interim. I bet Jimbo would listen, with crippled Nick Johnson as his only viable left handed threat.