A’s Going After Adam Dunn?

While the Oakland A’s have been rather aggressive so far this offseason, they have yet to really address their lack of power on offense. The A’s, a team that has very little power, are on a mission this winter to find an impact hitter or two.

The team has been said to be interested in Lance Berkman, however, Berkman is being pursued by the Colorado Rockies rather aggressively. Berkman, 34, would fit in nicely in a DH role for the power-hungry A’s, but the former Astros player is not interested in becoming just a DH. Berkman still feels like he can play the field, but with 1B Daric Barton coming into his own this year and an already packed outfield, Berkman’s role with the A’s would have to be designated-hitter.

Aside from Berkman, however, the A’s have also been linked to free-agent 1B Adam Dunn as well. While Berkman is seeking a one-year, possibly two-year deal worth about $8-10 million per season, Dunn is figured to command a much more. It was rumored that the A’s met with Dunn, but those rumors were false, and the A’s only met with Lance Berkman on Tuesday. However, according to recent rumors and sources (including a recent post by the SF Gate), the A’s remain a solid candidate to land Dunn.

Dunn, who hit .260/.356/.536 with 38 HR and 103 RBIs, would be an instant upgrade for Oakland’s offense, but would likely cost the A’s a four-year deal worth around $60-70 million. Mind you, the A’s did have one the lowest payrolls in all of baseball this season, so that would be a HUGE commitment.

I guess, what it comes down to then, is whether or not the A’s are ready to commit that kind of money. Oh yeah, and the Lance Berkman situation does play a huge part in this as well. If Berkman signs elsewhere, I’d expect the A’s to zero in on Dunn, but if Berkman signs with Oakland, forget about Dunn playing in green-and-gold.

Obviously either one of these sluggers would be upgrades for Oakland’s offense, but the player I’d want on my team would have to be Dunn. And while Dunn is not entirely sold on playing just as a DH, I can see him fitting in perfectly for the A’s. He’s a player who’s been liked by Beane, and is still in his prime at the age of 31. Heck, Beane called him a “unique talent.”

The A’s need a player like Dunn, and after watching the A’s struggle offensively to score runs, I’m sure A’s fans would go crazy over a Dunn-deal.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, the A’s are still interested in 3B Adrian Beltre…boy, the A’s are staying active this winter.

*Remember, since Dunn is a Type-A free agent (and is expected to decline arbitration), signing him would mean surrendering a 2nd-round pick to the Nationals. (A’s first-round pick is protected).