I didn't say start, I said have. We can always send him to Syracuse.
I want someone to prove mathematically that Tex will that much better than Dunn.
I'll use their 162-game average stats to make this comparison.
1 - Teixiera hits for a higher average( .290 vs .247), gets more hits(177 vs 137), and hits more doubles (40 vs 29). he also strikes out less (124 vs 180) and carries a higher Slugging Percentage (.541 vs .518)
2 - Dunn hits more HRs (40 vs 36), takes more walks (114 vs 78), and carries a higher OBP (.381 vs .378)
mathematically, you take Teixiera, because the extra doubles and hits with only slightly less HRs outweigh the Walks, imo.
but in the "watching the game and being able to break it down" (I think that was the terminology that was used here once upon a time) category, you take Teixiera for the following reasons in addition to "mathematics":
1. Teixiera is a switch-hitter, with virtually equal power from each side of the plate(using his .SLG splits)
2. Teixiera is a natural first baseman that plays stellar defense at the 1B position. Dunn is a league-average at best outfielder that you hope won't embarass himself at 1B.
3. Dunn has the reputation of someone who simply doesn't care and doesn't play hard. Teixeira holds the reputation of a "nice guy" (OH NOES, A NICE GUY!), but his production doesn't suffer because of it.
4. Teixiera is a well-rounded player who excels at several aspects of the game. Dunn is one-dimensional.
you take Teixiera if you can get him, unless years and money are your only concern. then you take Dunn for cheaper and for less years.
as far as this organization goes, they need to go all out to get Teixiera, and if they fail, then get Dunn as a consolation prize.
I don't understand the hero-worship of Adam Dunn. I never did. I won't be upset if that is who we end up with, but to suggest that he should be preferable to Teixiera is folly, in ever aspect except "less years, less money".
*edit* forgot to cite where I am getting my numbers from:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/t/teixema01.shtmlhttp://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dunnad01.shtml