Arizona acquires OF Dunn from Reds

Aug 12, 2008 - 1:20 AM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The National League West-leading Arizona Diamondbacks added some much-needed power Monday, acquiring slugger Adam Dunn from the Cincinnati Reds for three prospects.

Since the non-waiver trade deadline has passed, the Diamondbacks claimed Dunn off waivers and worked out a trade that sends minor league righthander Dallas Buck and two other players to be named later to Cincinnati.

Dunn, who is tied for the major league lead with 32 home runs, is expected to start in right field and bat cleanup on Tuesday, when the Diamondbacks open a four-game series in Colorado.

The acquisition of the left-handed Dunn is a huge boost to a Arizona lineup that ranks in the bottom half of the National League in home runs (113), slugging percentage (.413) and runs (534) . The Los Dodgers (58-59), who acquired Manny Ramirez at the trade deadline, trail the Diamondbacks (60-58) by only 1 1/2 games in the West.

"We very excited to get Adam with us," Diamondbacks general manager Josh Byrnes said. "Obviously we have been looking for more offense. Some of it has been from within, guys improving, but Adam is one of the premier hitters against right-handed pitching in all of baseball."

Dunn, who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Reds, was glad to be headed to a contender.

"I have no regrets," Dunn said. "I spent my whole career here. I know it's a business and I understand it. I'm just glad I'll be able to play with a first-place team. "

Dunn's new manager Bob Melvin was not worried about his reputation as a so-called "all-or-nothing" type of hitter. The 6-6, 275-pound Dunn has struck out at least 165 times in each of the past four seasons, and has 120 in 373 at-bats this year. However, he is also tied for third in baseball with 80 walks.

"It doesn't matter how you get on base, especially if you have some power," Melvin said. "So he going to have his share of strikeouts, but he's going to hit the ball out of the ballpark and he's going to be on base at a clip close to .400. He's not a guy that is limited to either striking out or hitting the ball out of the ballpark."

A free agent after this season, Dunn is hitting just .232 but has 74 RBI in 114 games. The Diamondbacks will receive two compensatory picks should Dunn leave in free agency.

"The Reds and us had to assess the draft pick value associated with him if you can't re-sign him, so there was reasons for both sides to consider a deal," Byrnes said.

Cincinnati (52-67), which is in a rebuilding mode under new general manager Walt Jocketty, was happy with the deal. Jocketty was traveling to the Dominican Republic and unavailable for comment.

"We felt comfortable that this was a good deal and we got three quality players, young players," Reds assistant general manager Bob Miller said.

Dunn certainly will help out an injury-depleted Arizona lineup.

Second baseman Orlando Hudson is out for the season after suffering a dislocated wrist on Sunday, right fielder Justin Upton (oblique strain) is on the 15-day disabled list and left fielder Eric Byrnes (hamstring) also will miss the remainder of the year.

Melvin said the Diamondbacks plan to use Dunn - who played left field and first base with the Reds - in right field until Upton returns.

"He's outfielder that has played some first base as well," Melvin said. "It will be right field in the interim right now. Once (Upton) gets back we'll take at look at our options."

Melvin also said he spoke to Dunn, who is excited about joining a team in the pennant race.

"I told him that some of the rhetoric around here was about you playing right field," Melvin said. "I said, 'How do you feel about that?' He said, 'If you want me to catch, I'll catch.'"

Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Buck is headed to Cincinnati. He went 1-4 with a 3.94 ERA in nine games with Class A South Bend and was assigned to Class A Sarasota of the Florida State League. A third-round pick in 2006, Buck was promoted to Class A Visalia earlier this month and in his lone start allowed three unearned runs in five innings.