MORE DUNN CHATTER: The Washington Nationals aren't the only ones who are concerned about soon-to-be-completely free agent Adam Dunn's defense apparently. MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling reported in a late September article entitled, "Sources say Nats unlikely to resign Adam Dunn", that sources were telling him Washington wouldn't sign Adam Dunn to the 3-4-year deal he was looking for, with the Nationals instead going, "...after a more reliable defensive option at first base," like Carlos Pena, who was mentioned by Mr. Goessling as a target the Nationals were "high on". MLB.com's Bill Ladson, in answering readers' questions about why the Nats' big middle-of-the-order bat hadn't been locked up long-term in his latest, "Inbox: Why does Dunn get bad rap?" reiterated that the Nats' worries revolved around Dunn's D, which Mr. Ladson described as "below-average", writing that, "It's not just the errors. It's his range, which is below average."
When new Cubs' Bench Coach Pat Listach spoke to Sirius/XM MLB Network Radio hosts Jeff Joyce and Jim Bowden Tuesday afternoon after news of the former Nats' Third Base Coach's move to Chicago broke but before it was made official, Mr. Bowden tweeted (@JimBowdenXMFOX) that Listach, "...said that he would love to have Adam Dunn join him in Chicago [and the] Cubs' top priority is a LHH Pwr Bat," but in a synopsis of the conversation between the former Nats' third base coach and former GM in a section of an article by "Neil" at ChicagoCubsOnline.com entitled, "A Day of Meetings, Prospects and Rumors" which is subtitled, "Pat Listach on XM Radio", Mr. Listach is quoted saying that he has spoken to the 30-year-old (for another week) slugger "a couple of times already since the season ended," while also admitting that, "...the Cubs have questioned him about Dunn ... especially about his defense" which Listach describes as "adequate", adding that, "Dunn knows this," and though his, "...defense has improved the last two seasons...Dunn has to want to get better defensively."
SI.com's Jon Heyman, in an article this morning entitled, "Offseason, free agency could deliver more surprises", recommends that, "The fielding-challenged Dunn should really consider the American League," but notes that, "...he is said by friends to much prefer the NL," with Chicago as one potential destination since, "...his incumbent Nationals more likely to seek a plus-defender for first base, such as Carlos Peña." Mr. Heyman also adds the A's to the list of AL teams that might be interested in Dunn, along with previously-mentioned potential suitors like the Yankees, Tigers and White Sox.
• FWIW FILE: SI.com's Jon Heyman wrote earlier in the article that the "aggressive Nationals [are] expected to be in the mix," for free agent left-hander Cliff Lee, with the Nats, "...(plus who knows who else? The Angels? Red Sox?) bidding things up," and making it an expensive signing for the New York Yankees. Zack Grienke is mentioned in Mr. Heyman's article as a pitcher who might get dealt, but no connection is made to the nation's capital's favorite MLB team, and the Royals, just like the Nats did when discussing deals for Dunn, are saying, "they'll need to be overwhelmed to seriously entertain trading one of baseball's best pitchers." Where will Rizzo find his big middle-of-the-order bat...and ace?