Padres Are Interested in Pending Free Agent Adam Dunn

So says FOXSports.com writer Ken Rosenthal, as Gaslamp Ball points out. After mentioning that the Dodgers and Padres would both be interested in Jermaine Dye (who isn't interested in Dye these days?), Rosenthal says the Padres are eyeing a deal for Adam Dunn.

Acquiring Dunn would be a risk - he becomes a free agent at the end of the season if he is traded - but that doesn't bother the Padres.

The Reds' price tag, however, probably would.

Dunn is their biggest chip, and the Reds would be excoriated if they traded another offensive part for bullpen help after sending outfielder Austin Kearns and shortstop Felipe Lopez to the Nationals in such a deal last season.

The emergence of right-hander Justin Germano theoretically could make righty Clay Hensley available, but the Padres will need to be careful - they've got two 40-somethings in their rotation, righty Greg Maddux and lefty David Wells, plus oft-injured righty Jake Peavy.

Rosenthal makes a good point about the Padres having old guys in their rotation. And you can never have a surplus of good young pitching. But Dunn is an established power hitter, while Hensley is fresh off a rookie season, and currently in the minors. If the Padres are to attempt such a deal, they better make sure that they can sign Dunn after the year, and that they're certain Hensley won't become a star. I would hate to think that Clay Hensley could be the only thing keeping San Diego from acquiring Adam Dunn. One thing is for sure, if I'm Wayne Krivsky, I'm having buyers line up for Adam, offering the best pitchers they've got.