It's not exactly a surprise, but the Reds said today that they're going to pick up
Adam Dunn's $13 million option for 2008. It's a hefty price tag for a guy that's not the most popular player in Cincinnati, but 40-homer, .900 OPS guys don't just grow on trees. Plus, at least they can trade him if they can't extend him.
From C. Trent Rosecrans' blog:
And, yet another note. Apparently Adam Dunn is off fishing and out of cell phone range, so you'll not be hearing from him today. I've left voice mails for everyone, will keep you updated.
Just talked to Wayne. Nothing too exciting.
Asked Wayne if there had been any talks of an extension for Dunn:
"Not at this point, right now we picked up this option, but I'm open-minded going forward."
The Reds also picked up options on
Scott Hatteberg and
Javier Lopez Javier Valentin (must still have the playoffs on the brain), while declining
Eddie Guardado's. Of course, those guys aren't as interesting as Dunn. I'd imagine that for the rest of the winter, talk will swirl around whether the Reds are planning on signing Dunn to an extension or trading him.
