Stone: Dunn Can't Justify Contract In First Season
CHICAGO (WSCR) The main storyline with the Chicago White Sox in the beginning of the season was the team's combined struggles. But as they've slowly started to turn things around, Adam Dunn's struggles have become more and more glaring.
It's been difficult to explain why Dunn has struggled so much, he's historically one of the most consistent hitters in the league today.
"I believe that these are the reasons for what's happening to Adam Dunn," Steve Stone said on the Mully and Hanley Show. "Number one, he's playing in a big market for the first time, he comes out of Cincinnati, he comes out of Arizona, he comes out of Washington...So, three different small markets, all of a sudden you come to a big market, in Chicago, where everything he does is scrutinized.
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"Two. He signed a four-year contract for a lot of money, with a lot of expectations. He wasn't on a team with expectations before. You have to understand, the best team Adam Dunn ever played on was 82-80, they were not in the race. This team is expected to be in the race, and with it comes a great deal of expectations."
Stone draws comparisons between Dunn and Carl Crawford, who is making the transition from Tampa Bay to Boston. Both Dunn and Crawford signed big contracts and are going from small to large markets.
And furthermore, both players might be trying to live up to their big deals in the season, which could be working as a detriment.
"It's not going to happen" Stone said. "It has to happen gradually."
