Dunn in Cincy

Adam Dunn is parting ways with the Cincinnati Reds as the long-ball slugger was dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Minor League pitcher Dallas Buck and two more players to be named later.

Dunn has spent his entire career with the Reds so he is definitely upset to be leaving after Cincinnati is where he's called home for the last 10 years.  However, Dunn should keep his chin up as he goes from one of the worst teams in baseball to the Diamondbacks who are the NL West division leader with a 1.5 game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers and are making a serious playoff run.

The Reds have not been good in about a decade.  The last time they had a winning record was 2000.  Dunn, who is earning $13 million this year, will be a free agent after this season.  Because the Reds have been so bad, it is likely that Dunn would have signed elsewhere after the conclusion of this season and the Reds would have been left out to dry.  Thus, trading Dunn was essentially their only option.

Dunn is tied for the National League lead with 32 home runs and is easily on pace to reach 40 home runs.  If Dunn stays healthy and avoids falling into a horrific slump, he will have his 5th straight 40 home run season.

Although Dunn has received a lot of criticism over the years because of his very low batting average and high number of strikeouts, he is still a very valuable hitter.  He does have the most strikeouts since his Major League debut on July 20, 2001 with 1,212, but he is also 3rd in the Majors with 270 home runs and 2nd with 755 walks in that time.

The Dodgers, who are battling the D-Backs for the division lead, recently acquired Manny Ramirez.  The Diamondbacks were desperately in need of a left-handed hitter with pop.  With the acquisition of Dunn they have filled that hole and have countered the Dodgers move. 

The Reds are 19.5 games back and in last place in the very tough NL Central.  By trading Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. only 11 days ago, the Reds have dealt away two key components in their line-up and appear to be giving up on this season and preparing for the future.