 | Dunn Dirt Cheap - 05/27/2011
BY Drew Silva When the White Sox signed designated hitter Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million contract this past winter, it caught the attention of many fantasy baseball enthusiasts. He slugged 38 home runs in 2009 for the Nationals and another 38 in 2010. Between 2004 and 2008, he averaged 41 homers per season. Dunn would flourish inside the cozy dimensions of U.S. Cellular Field, we thought, possibly reaching the 50-homer plateau for the first time in his career and tallying a gaudy RBI total along the way while batting in a quality lineup.
Unfortunately, it hasn't been that easy. Dunn went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts on Thursday afternoon against the Blue Jays and is batting just .186 with a .660 OPS through 184 plate appearances as a first-year member of the Pale Hose. His career OPS is a proud .895.
Dunn also has just five home runs and has struck out a whopping 65 ti! mes.
We're still optimistic that the slugger will settle in and turn his 2011 campaign around, but 50 homers seems to be out of the question and there's little doubt that he was selected too early in some fantasy drafts.
This is Friday's edition of the Daily Dose...
* Blue Jays manager John Farrell broke the hearts of desperate fantasy owners on Thursday when he announced that Toronto is going to begin using a closer-by-committee approach at the back end of their bullpen. Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch and Octavio Dotel will all be getting chances and will be thrown into games at random. Jason Frasor will also get looks ! from time to time. It's a smart baseball strategy. As a manager, you w ant to deploy your most reliable relievers in the tightest situations, and that doesn't always mean the ninth inning. But it's a big pain for fantasy owners and the news took a significant bite out of Francisco's overall value.
National League Quick Hits: Reds phenom Aroldis Chapman allowed three runs in a two-inning rehab appearance Thursday at Triple-A Louisville . Buster Posey has been diagnosed with a broken left fibula and a couple of severely strained ankle ligaments . Anibal Sanchez threw a shutout Thursday and now has a 2.60 ERA on the year . Phillies speedster Shane Victorino is scheduled to play his first rehab g! ame Saturday . Hanley Ramirez is day-to-day with a foot contusion . The Phillies activated setup man Jose Contreras from the 15-day disabled list . Reds starter Homer Bailey has been sent back to Cincinnati to have his shoulder examined by a specialist . R.A. Dickey will have his right foot and heel examined Friday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York . The Cubs acquired swing man Rodrigo Lopez from the Braves for young left-hander Ryan Buchter . Juan Gut ierrez underwent an MRI Thursday that showed inflammation and irritation in his right shoulder but no structural damage . The Rangers have inquired about Nationals reliever Todd Coffey . Carlos Zambrano is day-to-day with stiffness in his neck . Jay Bruce slugged his fourth homer in five games Thursday against the Phillies . Ryan Vogelsong took his first loss of the season Thursday against the Marlins . Braves starter Derek Lowe had his DUI charges dropped Thursday in court due to a "lack of evidence" . Mike Leake will be promoted from Triple-A Louisville to start Friday's series opener against the Braves . Nick Hundley is aiming to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week . The Giants recalled Brandon Belt from Triple-A Fresno.
American League Quick Hits: The Royals designated Robinson Tejeda for assignment and acquired Felipe Paulino via trade from the Rockies . Carl Crawford is officially locked in offensively and has 12 hits and 10 runs scored in his last 28 at-bats . Sergio Santos earned hi s eighth save of the season in Thursday's victory over Kansas City . A's closer Andrew Bailey will make another rehab appearance Thursday at Triple-A Sacramento . Grady Sizemore could be activated from the disabled list as soon as Friday afternoon . Mariners reliever Shawn Kelley is headed for Alabama to be reexamined by Dr. James Andrews . Brett Anderson threw eight shutout innings Thursday in the A's defeat of the Angels . The Twins have sent future trade bait Kevin Slowey all the way to extended spring training . Max Scherzer allowed seven runs in less than three innings Thursday in a loss to the Red Sox . A's third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff remains day-to-day with a groin injury . Josh Reddick had three hits and three RBI in his season debut Thursday against the Tigers . The Angels placed Howie Kendrick on the disabled list with a hamstring strain . Dustin McGowan is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week . Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold went 4-for-4 Thursday with two homers, four RBI and a walk .! Jesse Carlson is out for the season following surgery to fix his torn left rotator cuff . Twins reliever Jose Mijares began a rehab assignment Thursday evening at Single-A Fort Myers . The Angels have signed Russell Branyan to a minor league contract. | | This e-mail is being sent at your request. To stop receiving these e-mails, click here. | |
