In a story mostly about the Pirates in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, there's an interesting tidbit that has nothing to do with the Bucs:

The San Diego Padres could be ready to put Scott Linebrink, a top-notch setup guy with closer potential, on the block to attract a power hitter. Reportedly, Cincinnati slugger Adam Dunn is in their sights.

Now, I like Scott Linebrink, though, admittedly that has more to do with his performance on Oh Say Can You Sing? than anything I know about his pitching.

But more than that, I love the idea of the Reds trading all of their outfield power for relief pitchers. Next week, Griffey for Ray King.

Again Chris Denorfia's name has come up in trade speculation in the Florida media. This time, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel identifies him as a possibility for the Marlins center field:

Nate McLouth is well thought of by the Marlins' front office and could be a cheaper fallback option than Duffy. Cincinnati's Chris Denorfia is another intriguing possibility and likely available for pitching help since the Reds are keeping Ken Griffey Jr. in center.

“We'd like to grow with a young center fielder, but I wouldn't say there's a definite profile,” Beinfest said. “We have a good young team and we're looking to add good young talent.”

You might notice that this is very similar to the last Deno rumor I posted about, so it may well just be one reporter's pipe dream. Plus, there's the fact that Krivsky seems to like Denorfia OK and as recently as Redsfest was assuring fans that they'd be seeing him in right field.

On the other hand, the Reds are in need of an outfielder, so it makes sense that Kriv-dawg will trade him away. Plus the fact that the article says the Marlins are looking to give up any pitching, and I think this sounds like a sure thing. I expect we'll be getting Dan Uggla somehow: we're due for another second baseman.

Now that Rich Aurilia is all pinned up in San Fransisco and David Weathers is safely in the fold of Cincinnati, it's time for the media to turn their attention to the next-most-talked-about Red this off-season, Adam Dunn.

In this story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dejan Kovacevic counts the Pirates out of the chase for Dunn:

Still, it is known that some candidates already have been scratched off. The Cincinnati Reds' Adam Dunn has topped 40 home runs the past three years, but some in the Pirates' management are turned off by his gaudy strikeout total.

How smart of the Pirates! All that stood between them and the pennant last season was a few dozen strike-outs, so they'll want to avoid anyone with any power if they expect to contend in 2007.

But Pirates' beat writers aren't done counting Dunn out yet. In a story in the Beaver County Times and Allegheny Times, John Perrotto, points out that Dunn is also expensive:

Yet, the two young hitters who could be traded this week that would most fit the Pirates' needs, outfielders Carl Crawford of Tampa Bay and Adam Dunn of Cincinnati, also seem to be out of reach.
…
The Pirates could get Dunn straight-up for Duke. The idea of having a 6-foot-6, 275-pound left-handed hitter who has averaged 42 homers over the past three seasons aiming for the Allegheny River is enough to make your mouth water.

Yet, the 27-year-old's on base and slugging percentages have fallen in each of the past two years. He has also posted the two highest season strikeout totals in major-league history with 195 in 2004 and 194 this year.

Dunn has a $10.5-million salary in 2007 and can become a free agent following the season if a $13-million club option is bought out for $500,000. That is excessive for a player whose positive doesn't outweigh his negatives.

So, in case you were worried that the Pirates might threaten (not threaten the Reds--threaten to leave the cellar), you can now sleep sound.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Sun is somewhat less down on Mr. Dunn:

The Orioles have had discussions with the Cincinnati Reds about Adam Dunn and with the Seattle Mariners about Richie Sexson, but other clubs' insistence on making Erik Bedard part of the deals essentially ended the talks.

And the Boston Herald hasn't got a bad thing to say about him:

Other teams in the hunt for big offensive talent include many mentioned as possible destinations for Ramirez - the Dodgers, Padres, Mariners, Angels and Rangers. With the best free agent hitters, Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee, already signed, trade talks for big boppers such as Adam Dunn, Richie Sexson and Vernon Wells will keep coming up.

It's nice to hear that the Orioles and Red Sox writers haven't dismissed Dunn out-of-hand, but still--those comments from Pittsburgh have got to sting.

Looks like the Giants have reached an agreement with Rich Aurilia pending a physical, which he should pass unless it was an injury that made him so good last year.

The deal is reportedly two years for $8 million dollars.

Before Wayne Krivsky had a chance to make the horrible mistake of re-signing Royce Clayton, the Blue Jays beat him to the punch. Marc says:

Ken Rosenthal reports the Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Royce Clayton.

This is the exact transcript of the conversation that ensued here in the office between me and the Crack Technical Staff regarding this story:

CTS: Clayton signed!
RHM: With whom?
CTS: The Blue Jays. $1.5 million.
RHM: Royce Clayton commands $1.5 million?
CTS: Sure. In Canada.

To be paid in maple syrup and snow.