LOVE the Dunn Chatter!

Perhaps no athlete in Cincinnati, aside from Chad Johnson, stirs up as much debate as Reds LF Adam Dunn. This cat is a strong, strong man, and productive at the plate. 40 HRS for the past 4 consecutive seasons doesn't happen by accident, but the strikeouts are troubling. Making $13 million and hitting in the 7-hole shouldn't happen (and his recent hot streak will move him up in the lineup). In fairness, Dunn made a few nice defensive plays in the home series with the Cleveland Indians, but as a body of work his "prowess" in the outfield leaves a lot to be desired.

I think Joe Danneman raised the most applicable question: "Is this what we're gonna get from Adam Dunn, or is there more?"

I think this is what we're gonna get.
Which is unfortunate.

It's just not in Dunn's personality to be a clubhouse leader. He's a goof off, a big kid, and not one to hold others accountable. I'm not with Dunn in the offseason, so I don't know how much he works on his game, or works on his defense, or conditioning. I see a guy who doesn't appear to be in the best shape. Which begs the question, how good COULD he be...if he truly worked at it? Shouldn't a former quarterback in high school, like Dunn was, have a little bit better throwing arm?

A few weeks ago, I asked Pete Rose what he thought of Dunn. The Hit King stopped short of saying "underachiever", but he said Dunn would be a much different player if he managed the Reds, that he'd take Dunn on as a personal project.

I'm just thinking out loud, but I love the Dunn chatter. He's a guy who sparks debate...for good reason.