Merriam-Webster defines "rumor" as "talk or opinion widely disseminated with no discernible source." Baseball fans define rumor as a normal late July occurrence.
It is with this definition in mind that I present to you the latest three-team rumor making the rounds, and it's a good one.
In this proposed deal, ESPN's Jayson Stark discloses that "Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox, and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Adam Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona."
Ken Rosenthal has since tweeted that the three-team talks haven't started, but this one makes sense for several reasons.
First, the Sox are known to be clamoring for a powerful left-handed bat, and Adam Dunn has long been rumored to be in their sights.
While Prince Fielder is another probable target of White Sox general manager Kenny William's affection, it would take much more to obtain the stout Brewer first baseman, given that he is under contract through the end of next season.
Meanwhile, Dunn is eligible to be a free agent following this season and contract talks for Dunn have apparently gone nowhere for the Nationals.
Which brings us to the second reason why this trade scenario is plausible.
If Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo doesn't think he can re-sign Dunn, why wouldn't he attempt to obtain a Gordon Beckham or perhaps a Daniel Hudson rather than risk losing him for nothing or, at best, draft picks?
Another compelling argument is that we know that Washington likes Jackson, who is only 26, has a big fastball, and is signed for next season.
As for the D-Backs being the third team in this proposal, that, too, makes sense because their team is long since out of contention and is looking to add parts and pieces as they attempted to do with the Dan Haren trade.
Despite his high strikeout totals, Adam Dunn would be a huge boost to the Sox offense. He gets on base about 40 percent of the time, and he hits homers at a very consistent rate.
Defensively, they probably wouldn't ask him to bring his glove.
Whether Dunn would be happy being a full-time designated hitter is debatable. He has said he wants to play defense, but if it's only a short-term rental and a chance at the playoffs, he might acquiesce.
The main holdup seems to be the feeling that the Sox are being held up by the Nats. They don't want to part with Beckham, despite his slow start, especially for a rental.
Another sticking point is that with the injury to Jake Peavy, losing Hudson isn't exactly palatable for the Sox.
But, in the end, if the Sox want Dunn badly enough, they'll go for it.
And who knows, maybe they'll be able to get it done more cheaply as we inch closer to the final days and hours of the deadline.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com
- Login to post comments