A couple weeks ago, the Braves promoted lefty pitching prospect Mike Minor to AAA Gwinnett. My first thought was they are showcasing him. Since his promotion to AAA, Minor is 2-0 in 2 atarts, with a 1.42 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and a 15-5 K/BB rate.
In 15 starts at AA Mississippi, he went 2- 6 with a 4.03 ERA, 1.241 WHIP, and a 109-34 K/BB rate. For the season, he is striking out 11 batters per nine innings, with a 3.18 K/BB ratio.
Monday evening brought us news that Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn is losing interest in signing a long-term extension with the Nationals with what he sees as a lack of urgency by the Nationals. Here is the tweet from ESPN's Buster Olney:
Heard this: Would-be free agent Adam Dunn has just about lost interest in working out a long-term deal with the Nationals because of what he perceives to be a lack of urgency from the team in working out a new deal. He does not feel there seems to be the same amount of interest as he has in working out contract. The Nationals are fast approaching fish-or-cut bait time with the slugger,who is fast approaching his seventh consecutive with 38 or more homers. At a time when power is becoming more scarce in the game, hisvalue would appear to be high in the forthcoming free agent market -- if the Nationals don't move fast.The Nationals have had conversations with other teams about possible deals involving Dunn, and it figures they will trade him if they don't work out a contract extension in the days ahead. The White Sox are among the interested teams.
I think GM Mike Rizzo is saying the right things to the media by saying he wants to win as many games as possible this season, but deep down, he knows he has to deal Dunn. This is pure speculation on my part, but could he be talking to the Braves for AAA pitcher Mike Minor??
I think Dunn is a good fit for the Braves right now, as he could play left field or fill in at first base should Troy Glaus make his annual trip to the DL. Dunn is having a very good year as he is hitting .288-.372-.588 with 22 HRs and 59 RBIs. Dunn currently has 338 career HRs and could end the season with close to 360 HRs at the age of 30.
Dunn will become a free agent at the end of the season, so Rizzo should not take any chances that he signs with the Yankees in the offseason, and listen to offers for him.
I think an Adam Dunn for Mike Minor deal would help both teams, as Minor would add a lefty to the top of the Nationals 2011 rotation headed by Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman. Dunn will add a power bat the Braves need with down power years from Chipper Jones and Brian McCann.