Howard Megdal and Konstantin Medvedovsky wrote this piece in The Perpetual Post talking about the undervaluing/overvaluing of Adam Dunn. Dunn’s value has dropped to around $5 million a year, and maybe for just one year.
Here is what I think:
- If the Mets knew Dunn was going to be available for so cheap, they should have bought out Carlos Delgado and signed Dunn. Combined, it would have cost around $10 million on 2009, saving the Mets a couple million. Dunn could then play first base or left field.
- The Mets should still sign Dunn to a multi-year deal. The money would be a bargin per year, and he could replace Delgado next year.
Dunn is 29, significantly younger than Delgado. However, his downside is his defense and his high strikeout rate. Dunn swung and missed 166 times last year, and in his careers, holds two of the top six records for most K’s in a season. He made three errors in 19 games at first base for the Diamondbacks last year, and eight playing corner outfield between the D-Backs and Reds.
Since the Mets already have Delgado for 2009, I’ll work off the notion that Dunn should be signed for LF in 2009, then moved in 2010 if necessary.
Whether he produces like 2008 or not, Delgado is gone at the end of this season. He’ll be 38, and not worth the money he could be seeking, leaving a hole at first base for the Mets, and no solutions for it in free agency.
Nick Evans or Daniel Murphy could be the solution, depending on how they come along this year, but either one of them could be put in a corner outfield spot.
But that’s next year. Let’s look at this year.
The Mets faithful are clamoring for Manny Ramirez. In reality, they are really clamoring for an offensive upgrade. Manny seems unlikely because A. the Mets ownership isn’t moving on him right now and B. talks are “heating up” with other teams, it’s time to look elsewhere.
Dunn hit a mere .236 in 2008, but produced 40 HR’s and 100 RBI’s. He also drew 122 walks, making his OBP to .395. Either pitchers didn’t want to give him much to hit, or he just has a good eye. Maybe both.
(Just a note, compared to Delgado, Dunn struck out more but drew more walks, giving him an edge on Delgado’s .353 OBP. The fact that Delgado had more RBI’s and runs can be attributed to the different teams they played on. Point is, they’re similar players).
If Dunn played for the Mets, it makes the most sense to bat him third. For one, Dunn, Wright, and Delgado would go lefty, righty, lefty, and two, Dunn’s high OBP would set the table for Wright and Delgado.
The Mets defense takes a hit (but really, we’re talking about Fernando Tatis, Murphy, and Evans as the other solution), but the offense is upgraded significantly, and at a cheaper price.
