Nationals, Dunn agree to deal

[February 12, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Adam Dunn called pals Ryan Zimmerman and Austin Kearns on Wednesday to deliver the news: They'll soon be teammates on the Washington Nationals.

Dunn and the Nationals agreed to a contract worth $20 million over two years, several Web sites reported.

"I wanted to play for a contender, and opportunities weren't exactly what I wanted them to be," Dunn told MLB Network. "But I get a chance now to go and hopefully turn a program around."

Dunn hit a combined .236 with 40 homers, 100 RBIs and 164 strikeouts last season with the Reds and Diamondbacks. In each of the past five seasons, he has hit at least 40 homers and struck out at least 164 times.

The 2008 Nationals hit 117 homers as a team -- ranking 15th of 16 NL teams -- while finishing with the worst record in the major leagues at 59-102.

"He's an obvious power hitter and someone who can hit in the middle of the order, drive guys in, hit home runs," Zimmerman said by telephone from Florida. "He's something that we haven't really had consistently. It's exciting, and it makes us better."

After pursuing first baseman Mark Teixeira until he signed with the Yankees, the Nationals had not managed to add a slugger or make a truly significant offseason move -- until now.

The 29-year-old Dunn, who can play the outfield or first base and is a left-handed batter, has a .247 average with 278 homers and 672 RBIs over his career. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound Dunn also has a .381 on-base percentage and last year led the NL in walks with 122.

It's the latest example of Nationals general manager Jim Bowden bringing one of his former Cincinnati Reds players to Washington, a list that includes Kearns, Ryan Wagner, Aaron Boone, Wily Mo Pena and Dmitri Young. When he was the Reds' GM, Bowden drafted Dunn in the second round of the 1998 amateur draft.

"We started something in 1998, me and Austin and Jim, and we never got to see it out," Dunn said. "And hopefully now ... we can somehow jump-start this team."

Asked why his once and future teammate chose to come to Washington as a free agent, Kearns said: "He knows Jim. He has a relationship with Jim."

Neither Bowden nor president Stan Kasten responded to requests for comment.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.