Adam Dunn's time is running out, Rowand in DC, Jack Wilson heading to Detroit, More Trouble For Matt Bush, and the end of Gerald Laird's Ranger career, all coming up!

Adam Dunn May Be Done In Cincinnati

Adam Dunn may be in his last season with the Reds.   It's not because of the strikeouts, or because of the Reds' woes, or even the fact that the Reds want to cut payroll to help supplement other areas of the staff.

It's because of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto.

Bruce is a talented Reds prospect is nearly ready after jumping several levels in the minor leagues and now holding his own in Triple A.  He's got power, a solid eye, a capable defender and a good arm, all things that the Reds could use.  As far as who he projects to be, Larry Walker is a common comparison.

Josh Hamilton has already established himself as the Reds' centerfielder, with Griffey holding down right field, which leaves left field as the only place for the uber-talented Bruce to start.

First base isn't an option either, beucase of Votto, a solid hitting first baseman that plays better defense than Dunn at first and blocks him.

Without the DH rule, that would render Dunn a very expensive bench player at $12 million.

However, the Reds won't let him leave without them getting something valuable back.  It's possible that the Reds could pick up the option and look to trade Dunn this off-season, hopefully for much less than they asked the Angels when they looked into getting him.

A trade with the Rangers is possible because of the Rangers' needs for a first baseman/outfielder.  However, the Rangers won't give up much for a one year rental, unless Dunn consents to an extension, which won't happen with free agent prices skyrocketing.  Nor would the Rangers part with valueable prospects in return, in particular Eric Hurley and Taylor Teagarden, two of Texas' top prospects that the Reds would demand in return.

San Francisco may be a fit, as the Giants will need a power source on the team with Bonds not likely to return, however, prospects will be hard to exchange because the Giants have none and they will not consent to trading Jonathan Sanchez, a talented lefty that may be able to start that the Reds would target in return.

Were I to hazard a guess, the best fit for Dunn could be the Yankees, who need a first baseman not named Andy Phillips or god knows what else they've been running out there.  They have the prospects to spare for Dunn, as they have several starting pitchers that could succeed in the National League that are of no use to them, and it wouldn't be a long term commitment, as the Yankees would be able to let Dunn go in order to pursue Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Should be an interesting off-season in Cincinnati.

Monroe For Wilson Swap In The Works?

Detroit wants to find an NL club that is willing to take Craig Monroe, who was DFA'd, in parts of keeping him out of the AL. 

Pittsburgh has been interested in Monroe in the past and would be willing to trade shortstop Jack Wilson if the Tigers pick up all of the $14.35 million remaining on the final two years of his three-year, $20.2 million contract.

The Tigers inquired about Wilson and nearly had a deal done for him at the deadline before talks fell apart becaue the Pirates asked for...Craig Monroe.

Surely the two clubs could work something out.

Rowand To DC?

Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand is a free agent after the season, and while he hasn't revealed much on what he's doing after the season, he does like Washington, whom he feels is a up and coming team and will be a contender in a couple of years. 

Rowand would be a solid addition to Washington and would be marketed as a face of the franchise and would be a team leader there. 

However, I don't see it happening.

Washington is already experiencing a logjam in the outfield, with Wily Mo Pena, Ryan Church, Nook Logan, Austin Kearns and potentially Dmitri Young all vying for playing time.

Furthermore, Rowand will likely recieve more lucrative offers from his three top suitors, the Rangers, the Phillies, and the White Sox (not in that order.)

So as nice an idea it is, it won't happen.

More Trouble For Matt Bush

The Padres have confirmed that Matt Bush, the first overall pick in 2004, will need Tommy John Surgery on his pitching elbow, saying he should be good to go again in a year. 

This is only the latest setback for Bush, who has been injury prone and under performed by the Padres, who took him instead of Tigers Ace Justin Verlander (fear of a holdout) and then Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, who the scouts recommended to take, but were overruled because of cost.  Also passed up was Jered Weaver, who fell to the Angels.

Bush was converted in June to pitching and has posted good results until recently, when in his Single-A debut for Fort Wayne, Indana on Thursday, Bush threw a pitch and reportedly ruptured a ligiment in his elbow and left. 

It's unfortunate because Bush actually seemed to respond to the change, throwing a upper 90's fastball along with a promising curve. 

Oh well.

Gerald Laird Is Available

Gerald Laird, the current Rangers catcher, is likely headed out of Arlington and headed elsewhere.

Laird likely was headed out anyhow, with the Rangers already having highly regarded catching prospect Taylor Teagarden coming on nicely, plus catcher Max Ramirez coming over in the Kenny Lofton deal.

However, with the acquisition of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Laird's fate was sealed earlier.  Salty has a solid bat, but it profiles better at catcher and ultimately, that's where he will remain, as the Rangers have put an emphasis at looking elsewhere for a first baseman.  That means that Laird will be out of a job and likely out of Texas.

Laird should be very highly coveted, as there are very few young backstops available on the market.  There will likely be interest from several teams, including Detroit, Pittsburgh, the Mets and Yankees, as well as the Cubs, who inquired about Laird shortly after the trade of Teixeira was made.

See you all tomorrow for the Rangers Report!