Adam Dunn’s self diagnosis: too many off-speed pitches early in the count [UPDATE]

Gonzales @ CT:

Dunn believes his recent struggles stem from being too aggressive and that opposing pitchers are taking advantage by throwing off-speed pitches early in the count.

“And that’s not my game,” Dunn said. “Everything is there except me swinging at bad pitches,” Dunn continued. “I’m working the count, usually putting myself in usually good hitters’ counts but not making them pay.”

Unfortunately for Dunn, I don’t think we can order opposing pitchers what to throw.

UPDATE: As James says don’t trust what Dunn says. Let’s take a look at the pitches thrown at Dunn on 0-0 counts.

In which Kenny Williams may go ahead and bring up Dayan Viciedo no matter what Ozzie Guillen says

Garfein @ CSN:

… When I asked Kenny Williams on June 22 what it will take to bring up his prized prospect he said, “Until I get the feeling from the coaching staff that he is in fact needed and they believe that the mix that they are currently sending out there isn’t getting the job done.”

Thinking about benching your lefty power-hitter for two straight games in a heated divisional race at a pivotal stretch of the season kind of answers that question.

But Williams also said that he might not wait for Guillen and the coaching staff to make the call on Viciedo.

“If there ever comes a time where I feel strongly enough about making a move of that ilk, then I’ll call them aside and we’ll have a little stronger dialogue, and I’ll see if I can influence [them] one way or another,” Williams said. …

Kevin Goldstein talks about Addison Reed

From BP’s Kevin Goldstein trading article:

What They Need: Chicago believes the answers to their problems are mostly internal, simply needing their own players to get better.  At the same time, though, Kenny Williams is one of the most aggressive GMs around.

The Big Name: A third-round pick last June, right-handed reliever Addison Reed has struck out 80 over 55 innings while advancing from Low- to Double-A, and if he doesn’t go in a deal, he could be in the big leagues with his upper-90s fastball by September.