I heard about this deal last night and was going to start writing about it then, but I figured, give it a few hours of sleep, take a look at the deal again and see if I missed something. Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck plus two players to be named later (since after the trade deadline you can only trade one for one until the season is over). All I know is those other two players better be freaking minor league superstars because if not the Reds got hosed.
Let me get this straight, the Reds traded the major league home run leader, for a struggling minor league starter in advanced A ball, who by the way just came off of Tommy John surgery. What? Seriously? I thought that the Ivan Rodriguez deal was lopsided, but this deal makes that one look decent. At least with the Hamilton for Volquez, it made sense for everyone involved. I don’t understand how this deal helps the Reds. I understand that the Diamondbacks are essentially renting him for a month and a half, being there outfield is stacked once Upton rejoins the team, but to only get one mediocre A ball starter for Dunn makes no sense. The deal does nothing to help the Reds.
So far this season Dunn has gone 0.233/32/74, and although his average is awful, you aren’t getting him for his batting average, you’re getting him for his power. Buck so far this season is 1-5/3.55/1.16 in 9 starts. Last season in advanced A he was 4-4/3.41/1.18 in 16 starts prior to the surgery. Losing Dunn’s bat is a real problem for the Reds at this point. The Reds went from an out field of Jay Bruce, Ken Griffey Jr, and Dunn to Bruce, Corey Patterson and Jolbert Cabrerra. Not sure where the Reds want to head next season. Danny Dorn and Sean Henry, are their two best hitting outfield prospects right now, but they are in AA.
As for Dunn, I’m not certain where he will end up next season. The Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, and Cubs are probably front runners. His autograph is wildly popular on the secondary market. Not much that can be had for under $7, and most run around the $20 mark. This trade should stoke the fire a bit and drive those prices even higher. As for Dallas Buck, I was unable to find any items he has signed. I know that here are cards of his out there signed, just couldn’t find any.
