Big boost: D-backs land Reds slugger Dunn

by Ken Rosenthal

Arizona claimed Reds left fielder Adam Dunn — currently tied for the major-league lead in home runs — on waivers and completed a deal just before the 48-hour window expired Monday, sending a minor-league pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be named later to Cincinnati. The 23-year-old Buck was 1-4 with a 3.94 ERA at Class-A South Bend.

Currently in first place in the NL West, the Diamondbacks were looking to boost an offense than ranks 10th in the National League in runs scored, 12th in home runs and 13th in batting average.

The Reds are last in the NL Central and on a six-game losing streak.

Dunn, 28, was hitting .233 with 32 home runs and 74 RBIs for the Reds this season.

"It was one of those pleasant surprises," the slugger said on a conference call. "To come off the terrible month that we had in Cincinnati, and you get a phone call today saying you're being traded to a first-place team. As a player that's all you could ask for."

Arizona (60-58) tried to acquire Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves at last month's trade deadline before he went to the Los Angeles Angels.

The Diamondbacks sent right-hander Dallas Buck to the Reds in Monday's trade.

Dunn has a career .247 batting average with 270 career homers and is eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

Dunn had played his entire career with the Reds and is nearing the end of an $18.5 million contract. He spoke with Arizona manager Bob Melvin but isn't sure what role he'll fill.

"I'll do whatever," Dunn said. "If they want me to catch, I'll catch."

Reds manager Dusty Baker, whose team has lost nine of 10 games since the Griffey trade, said he'll miss having Dunn on the club.

"It's tougher to lose a good guy, you know, than the 40-home run guy," Baker said. "It's going to be tough to replace his offense, but it's even tougher to replace the man."

The Dunn trade comes after a July 31 deal that sent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox for relief pitcher Nick Masset and a Triple-A player. On Sunday, the Reds designated veteran catcher David Ross for assignment and called up catcher Ryan Hanigan from Triple-A Louisville.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.