Adam Dunn is getting an economics lesson.
Baseball fears a repeat of 1930-33 when attendance fell 40 percent at the Great Depression’s start. Thing were so bad even Babe Ruth’s salary was cut.
Three generations later in perhaps the toughest economy since, the Washington Nationals have reduced ticket prices in their coming second season at a new stadium. They’re not alone in money worries as the crosstown Redskins recently laid off nearly 30 staffers while the NFL and other teams shed salaries.
But, if there’s a bright side to the financial downturn, the Nationals are staring at a bargain. Dunn is still out there, his reported four-year, $56 million price tag is finding no market. Some say for not even half that price.
Could the Nationals steal a 40-homer, 100-RBI cornerstone for little more than the $5 million they paid Dmitri Young not to play last season?
Since losing the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, the Nats have done practically zero in free agency. That’s not good after winning 59 games last season. If Washington wins 59 games this summer, attendance might drop from 2.4 million to 1.4 million.
The Nats smartly made games a little more affordable, though only if you sit in the outfield and skip concessions. But, they still need to give fans a reason to see a mediocre team.
I know … better times are coming. Wait, who’s saying that — Stan Kasten or Barack Obama? Seems that’s all we hear nowadays.
Dunn doesn’t have many options. Maybe the Dodgers if they don’t get Manny Ramirez, who’s discovering the worst offseason pay scales in a decade. If Los Angeles doesn’t keep Ramirez then Dunn is an option. Otherwise, even the Yankees won’t spend the money Dunn’s asking.
There are downsides. Dunn strikes out more than Microsoft Vista at a Mac convention. The Nats could power the stadium from wind energy off his 126 or more whiffs for seven straight years. Dunn doesn’t hit enough RBI-doubles. His fielding is average.
But, Dunn belted 40 home runs five straight years. It’s pretty remarkable to homer exactly the same number so many times, but at least he’s consistent. Dunn has also averaged 100 RBI over the last five seasons and walked more than 100 times each of those years. With Dunn hitting fourth, Ryan Zimmerman will see more good pitches to raise his average 20 points.
Dunn isn’t the savior, but he’s the best the Nats can do for now. If Dunn takes a multi-year deal averaging less than $7 million, the Nats should grab him. They’ll still be a losing team, but a lot more fun to watch.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com or e-mail [email protected].
