I think the biggest thing to look at here, is not what Adam has and has not done, but what kind of help, protection, and lineup he is involved in.  It's not just about how streaky he is, or if he is improving on defense.  If Dunn were on the Yankees, sure he would still be streaky, but that lineup has a lot less holes, and thus Dunn can do what he does best...swing hard.

I think Dunn could improve as a Red, but the lineup right now is currently not suited for having that 1 guy who hits .240-.250 with 40+ HR's, 100RBI's, and 100BB.  Why?  Because we have Ken Griffey doing the same thing...striking out a lot, leaving runners on base, and not driving in guys with base-hits.  Brandon Phillips is also struggling.  Not to mention, Jr, Phillips, AND Dunn should be moved down in order to accomodate those hitters who do drive in runs, and do NOT strike out as much (are at least have a better average).

I could live with Dunn...and the Reds will live if Dunn leaves.  If they keep Dunn, Jr has to go, and Dunn has to live with being a 5 or 6 hole hitter.  Let the guys who make more contact hit infront of him.  Defenses can't use the shift with runners on base, and keeping a guy behind him like Phillips/Votto/or whomever, keeps teams from pitching around him.  It's the million dollar question...what to do with Dunn...My idea....if you are going to keep him, build this lineup to minimize his flaws, so that this team is not reliant on this guy getting key hits or HR's, but rather on the old saying "Get em on, get em over, get em in".

Ok, I know Lance thinks that CJ is going to ruin this team.  That if we can go 7-9 with him, then we can go 7-9 without him, without his distractions, and get a few extra picks along the way.  Everyone should be happy, right?  WRONG!

CJ can't be anymore of a distraction than he already is.  This isn't about cutting off your nose to spite your face.  This is about stopping the cycle.  Look, this team is going to go 7-9 or 8-8 with him, or without.  An unproven draft pick(s) is not going to change this fact.  I can argue that by keeping him, and using the extra cap space that would be used by trading him, we can sign another Free Agent for the defense, or even offense.  June 1st is around the corner, and some veterans will be released.  Some may be able to help our team.

However, back to the cycle I refered to.  Every year we see this.  Player wants more money, acts like a fool, and eventually gets their way.  When will a team stand up to the player?  Who will be the first to take a historic stand?  I say, the Bengals, and why not? 

Chad has painted himself into a corner.  Everyone knows he is a fool now.  He either will sit out (saving the Bengals money and his antics) or he will have to shut up and play (a sight that would no doubt bring smiles to the rest of the looker-room seeing a trite and broken CJ returning after he said he wouldn't). 

The Bengals are in the dubious position of, A: already seeing what CJ can try and do to cause a stir, and B: being in a better financial situation to let him sit (as he says he will) rather than leave.  Basically, the Bengals have Chad by the balls, and everyone knows it; especially Chad. 

Chad can't be anymore of a distraction because, I believe, there would be nothing more appealing to the guys in the locker-room than to see the Bengals make this stand against CJ.  Not for spite, but because this team is better with a proven WR of his caliber.  Should he decide to retire, or sit out, the Bengals will recoup the money for this year, and get it applied to the cap.  Thus, more money for Free Agency. 

You can argue that getting rid of chad for picks can help build the future.  I can argue that keeping chad may do the exact same thing, and teach a lessen to all the snot-nosed players who think it is their RIGHT to play in this league, get paid millions, and not a privilage: Handle your business like a man, or get treated like a child.  Go Bengals!

You don't like the heat...stay of of the kitchen.  As long as the remarks are not personal in nature (See Brantley calling Coffey a "loser") then there should be no problems.  If you are a bad fielder (see Adum Dunn, Edwin Encarnacion) then you should expect to hear from the masses when you screw up.  If they don't like that, then I suggest they get new careers.  When you get paid Millions of dollars to play a game, people are going to expect you to do well...and when you don't, people are going to be critical.  Hopefully, Adam's mom isn't reading this!

I love how everyone is up in arms.  Yes, it was a very bad weekend stand against a team far worse than us.  Yet, these things happen over the course of a 162 game schedule.  Things I would like to see:

Edwin benched.  Put in Castro..he won't hit either, but at least he'll field his position.

Votto starting.  Quit jerkin' the kid around!  He's hitting, he should play every day!

Go with a set lineup!  Quit the L/R/L or no Lefties vs a LHP. How is this team going to get better without facing LHP's?  You can't PH someone everytime the other team brings in a LHP for relief.  Eventually, our batters have to produce!

Patterson may not be the best leadoff guy...but he's having a solid start to the season...let him be.  Leadoff is over-rated in my book, anyway.  You leadoff once a game!  When/if patterson struggles...then we can re-evaluate his status...as of right now...why worry?

Move dunn up in the order.  You want to protect him?  Bat him in front of Griffey and bat Phillips 4th and Keppinger 5th.  No way are you going to risk walking Dunn with Griffey and Phillips following...and Keppinger is good enough that he can walk and hit without the added protection behind him...which dunn and Griffey both need.

Just throwing a shout-out to my boy Scott.  His wife gave birth to their twins yesterday, after she has been on bed rest in the hospital for over 5 weeks!  Congrats my man!