Rumors have been flying around Nationals sluggers Josh Willingham and Adam Dunn. Most of the rumors have Willingham and Dunn headed to Boston, Kansas City, Atlanta, and the Mets, among others.
This article hopes to break down the reasons why and why not for trading Willingham and Dunn.
Reasons for trading Dunn and Willingham: The Nationals could get some good major league talent (JD Drew and Mark Teahen have been thrown around), along with some good prospects. Dunn would likely fetch more, as he leads the Nationals in home runs with 23, and RBI with 62.
He's not leading the Nats in hitting, but Dunn is hitting a decent .266 clip. Willingham's numbers a decidedly lower, but his numbers are still solid. He's hitting a great .304, with 12 home runs (he had 15 last season), and 26 RBI.
Reasons for not trading Dunn and Willingham: The stats say it all: Willingham and Dunn are good. Why would the Nats' brass want to trade them? Willingham, Dunn, and Ryan Zimmerman could become the cornerstones of a good lineup.
And some Nats fans (me included) think that the Austin Kearns era in Washington should come to an end very soon. Kearns should be traded before Willingham and Dunn. Also, the if the Nats trade two of their three best players, I consider that forfeiting this season.
I know it's bleak for the 2009 Nats, but I just don't like seeing teams just quit before the end of the season. But that's just my opinion.
So, you've heard the evidence. Should the Nats trade or keep Dunn and Willingham?
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