WASHINGTON -- Looks like D.C. baseball fans will have something else to cool them off at the park next season: The Nationals appear to be on the verge of adding a big, oft-errant swing to their lineup.
Sources told the Washington Post that slugger Adam Dunn will sign a two-year, $20 million deal with Washington, possibly as soon as Thursday.
Dunn would be the big bat the Nats lack. Last season, the team was second worst in the National League with 117 home runs in 2008.
Dunn's known almost as well for his low batting average (career .247), high strikeout rate and questionable defense as he is for his power, but that offensive production is hard to ignore. He has hit at least 40 home runs in each of the past five seasons and driven in at least 100 runs in four of those season.
Like most power hitters, that pop is accompanied by a lot of strikeouts, but it also means pitchers try to stay away from his wheelhouse. Dunn draws a lot of walks and has a .381 career on-base percentage to show for 'em.
Dunn, who seems like an ideal designated hitter, primarily has played first base and left field. The Nats' outfield already is crowded enough.
