No one can blame the Diamondbacks for pining for this moment since their season abruptly ended at Coors Field last October.
The Rockies broomed them, leaving Arizona to watch a champagne bath at their expense. Ten months later, the Diamondbacks can all but bury the slumping Rockies this week. They didn’t hurt their chances to “Git-R-Done!” by acquiring Reds slugger Adam Dunn on Monday.
Dunn is tied for the major-league lead with 32 home runs. With Justin Upton’s strained oblique still healing, Dunn will start tonight in right field, injecting power into a lineup that lost regulars Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson for the season.
“Our injuries and the need for more offense (motivated the deal),” Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes said.
Dunn is a monster, standing 6-feet-6 and weighing 275 pounds. He remains on pace to set a single-season record with 201 strikeouts, despite walking 80 times.
“He’s going to hit a lot of home runs. And that helps any lineup,” said Josh Fogg, Dunn’s former teammate in Cincinnati.
No talks yet.
With third baseman Ian Stewart gaining traction offensively, the Rockies are expected to shop Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins over the winter. Stewart could replace either, though he has never played a major-league inning as an outfielder.
There have been no recent contract talks with Holliday or Atkins. Holliday is signed through next season, his last before free agency. Atkins was first-time arbitration eligible a year ago.
Footnotes.
Stewart won the National League rookie of the month award for July. He will receive $5,000 to donate to a charity of his choice. . . . Outfielder Willy Taveras remains at history’s doorstep, attempting to break the Rockies’ single-season record of 53 stolen bases by Eric Young in 1996. Taveras has 51. . . . Pitcher Kip Wells anticipated Sunday’s roster move when he was designated for assignment. Wells said he is hopeful he can find a good fit for the final month, helping his cause as he re-enters free agency.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
