Any concern about Dunn's defense?

[cornfed]

I saw this link and started wondering if anyone was concerned with Dunner's defense this year.

I think he'll be fine.

[NatsDad14]

No

[tomterp]

I saw this and started wondering if anyone was concerned with Dunner's defense this year.

I think he'll be fine.

He actually made a decent diving stop today.   Those were expected when I was holding down 2nd base with Chewy and the Little Chubbies, but for Dunn it's real progress.

 

[HerndonNat]

I didn't think he actually ever attended Texas for football.

[PANatsFan]

Dunn's height served him well during ST. The weak link is RF not 1B.

[Obed_Marsh]

I'd rather see us sign a stronger defensive 1B and put Dunn in the OF.

Times have changed but we seem to be taking the same old attitude. Square peg, round hole.

I'm not saying Dunn hasn't improved but this seems an effective route now that we have chucked Dukes.

[Obed_Marsh]

Call me a fool if you like but with the number of sinkerballers and groundball pitchers we have I only see us doing well with a solid infield. Our pitching is more or less locked down; the hole is OF/1B.

Do you have a better way to fill it?

Granted this is gut feel, not some statistical perspective.

[The Chief]

Call me a fool if you like but with the number of sinkerballers and groundball pitchers we have I only see us doing well with a solid infield. Our pitching is more or less locked down; the hole is OF/1B.

Do you have a better way to fill it?

I'm just going to paraphrase what I always say:

You're assuming we have anything but square pegs.

Bowden earned the skepticism that he received during his tenure.  Rizzo is not nearly to that point yet, at least not for me.  You have a point about the groundballing, but what exactly constitutes a defensive-minded 1B, and who would you suggest?  It's a stash-a-slugger position by nature.

And for the record, I never called you a fool

I did this =>

[Minty Fresh]

I'm just going to paraphrase what I always say:

You're assuming we have anything but square pegs.

Bowden earned the skepticism that he received during his tenure.  Rizzo is not nearly to that point yet, at least not for me.  You have a point about the groundballing, but what exactly constitutes a defensive-minded 1B, and who would you suggest?  It's a stash-a-slugger position by nature.

There really are very few good defensive 1B.  As you say, it's usually considered a safe place to "stash a slugger."  Nick Johnson was considered one of the better defensive 1B's and I didn't think he was any great shakes. 

A good defensive 1B makes your infiled defense better (just look at the huge improvement the Yankees made by switching Jason Giambi for Mark Teixeira) but there are so very few out there. 

I was opposed to Dunn at 1B but after looking at all the other options, it seems the best fit for him and all reports seem to indicate he's been working hard on improving.

[wpa2629]

I like that he's a big target and he does have a solid "catching" glove, is actually pretty darn good on one hoppers in the dirt. He's got no range, we all know that, but he did make a sweet diving play yesterday, that was unexpected. 1B is where he needs to be, he'll be serviceable enough. and WAY better than the outfield.

[PowerBoater69]

I saw this link and started wondering if anyone was concerned with Dunner's defense this year.

I think he'll be fine.

Couldn't focus on the point/counter point with the Barely Sports links down the right side of the page.

As for Dunn, he has been judged by some stat guys to be the worst defender in the league and having passed 30 he'll have to work hard just to maintain his current abilities.  I like the guy but he needs to go to the AL.

[blue911]

The Mariners didn't improve because they had Richie Sexton playing first for a whole season. They improved because they upgraded their outfield defense. Dunn in the outfield is unworkable. Forget about errors,mental lapses and poor instincts. He doesn't run well enough to cut off balls in the alley or down the lines. Singles become doubles. Doubles become triples. At least at first you have some hope of improvement, the same isn't true in the outfield.

[Kevrock]

Nick Johnson was considered one of the better defensive 1B's and I didn't think he was any great shakes. 

Nick is a great defensive first baseman. I used to play 1st base and he's one of the players that I really enjoy watching. He plays that position the way it's meant to be played.

Dunn looked okay yesterday by the way.

I'd rather see us sign a stronger defensive 1B and put Dunn in the OF.

 

[Obed_Marsh]

You have a point about the groundballing, but what exactly constitutes a defensive-minded 1B, and who would you suggest?  It's a stash-a-slugger position by nature.

If I had to put a name to it based on UZR/150 I'd trade for Casey Kotchman. I admit I cannot recall seeing him play. I'd hope our X + 1/2 scouts could make a better choice than me.

If it doesn't work out, than put Dunn back at 1B.

Why not? The M's picked Kotchman up for a utility guy. For freak sake, they took Vidro. Who is to say they wouldn't take Guzman + cash (Yes, I am assuming he consents) or one of those mediocre pitchers we seem to have in abundance? Ryan Mattheus? Robinson Fabian?

I'd rather see us botch it with a solid infield rather than trotting out players learning new positions.

For the record, Dunn rocks. I'd sign him again in a heartbeat but I wouldn't bust his ass to learn 1B without a viable defensive alternative.

Also for the record, I see nothing wrong with Willy Harris getting the chance to prove he can be an every day player. Tavaras on the other hand, should be sent to AAA in case this plan is just another square peg.

Take some freakin chances and get some depth, it is not like anyone expects us to grab a wild card or god forbid the N.L. East.

In my book, Rizzo screwed the pooch not having a back up plan when he released Dukes. Not that Dukes was all that great to begin with...

[blue911]

Nick is a great defensive first baseman. I used to play 1st base and he's one of the players that I really enjoy watching. He plays that position the way it's meant to be played.

Dunn looked okay yesterday by the way.

 

Nick's defense wasn't what it was in years past. 2 years away from the game tends to take it's toll. Like his power stroke I would expect that his defense would have improved this season if he had a chance to play everyday.

[JMW IV]

people who want to see Dunn back in the OF are utterly insane.

[Obed_Marsh]

At the moment, I think that is person. Actually I don't like any of the alternatives available to us and I blame Rizzo.

Yet I fail to see how a more competent defensive replacement at 1B than Willingham/Morse/Guzman is a bad thing. IMHO, Willy Taveras is a waste of a roster spot. I do expect Taveras to keep it on the ground more while he will continue to be mediocre at best but some will hail those rare flashes as upside/potential.  

Or maybe I should just change my avatar?

[Cinqo de Mayo]

Dunn is less of a liability at first than in left.

[JMW IV]

exactly. and it isn't even close.

trade him to the AL before you put him back in the outfield

[JCA-CrystalCity]

If I had to put a name to it based on UZR/150 I'd trade for Casey Kotchman. I admit I cannot recall seeing him play. I'd hope our X + 1/2 scouts could make a better choice than me.

If it doesn't work out, than put Dunn back at 1B.

Why not? The M's picked Kotchman up for a utility guy. For freak sake, they took Vidro. Who is to say they wouldn't take Guzman + cash (Yes, I am assuming he consents) or one of those mediocre pitchers we seem to have in abundance? Ryan Mattheus? Robinson Fabian?

Kotchman is their starter. They cut Garko to give him the job full time.  The Vidro trade was not by Jack Z.  Jack Z is the guy who decided to emphasize defense.

The deal for Kotchman resulted from both Epstein and Jack having a great match for needs. The Red Sox had too many corner players after signing Beltre.  They need a RH outfielder, preferably one who could also back up and infielder, and they were over the luxury tax threshold. The Mariners had a need at first and also had Billy Hall. Billy Hall actually has more cash coming with him from the Brewers than his AAV on his contract, so he actually generates a credit for luxury tax purposes.

If Dunn is going to play in the NL,it has to be first.  As has been pointed out, most of his bad play at first last year occurred when he would occasionally spot in for Nick and right after the Nick trade. he is still bad, but it is more tolerable to be bad at first than in the OF.  All he has to do is to stay close to the bag, and anything that goes between him and Kennedy will be a single.  Put him in the OF, and any of those mistakes are multiple bases.  I also agree that he is a heck of a target for RZ and Desmond, and probably give them some throwing confidence.

[Obed_Marsh]

Kotchman is their starter. They cut Garko to give him the job full time.  The Vidro trade was not by Jack Z.  Jack Z is the guy who decided to emphasize defense.

Oh well. That goes to show how much I care about the American league.

I don't care as long as the plug the hole they left by cutting Dukes but that really is another thread.

[cornfed]

Forget about errors,mental lapses and poor instincts. He doesn't run well enough to cut off balls in the alley or down the lines. Singles become doubles. Doubles become triples.

I agree with this. He also lets outs drop in for singles. That makes pitchers work harder which makes things even worse.

I'm in the leave Dunn at first camp.

[Obed_Marsh]

Looking at it I now think you guys are right. Never trust your gut.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/04/the-latest-on-adam-dunn.html

UZR/150 pegged Dunn's time in the outfield at a brutal -39.5 mark, and while he improved at first base, the -25.0 mark he posted there is hardly impressive.

Love these Dunn quotes though:

"If it gets done in two weeks, if it gets done in a month, great," Dunn said. "If it doesn't, then like I said, we've got all offsesason. This is the place I want to be at. I want to be here. This team is obviously going in the right direction. I'm all for it."

There's a lot of things to be excited about. I feel comfortable here. I feel like I fit in really well here. My family loves it here. It seems like it's a great fit. When we do something special here, I want to be a part of it."