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10:53 AM ET 03.17 | Short of changing his entire approach at the plate, there isn't much Adam Dunn can do to counter the defensive shifts he's faced with on a daily basis. By hitting coach Jeff Manto's research and calculations, the shifts Dunn faces with the second baseman in short right field, the shortstop on the first-base side of second and the third baseman at short cost the left-handed slugger about 50 points off his average. Dunn batted .204 last year, 36 points below his career average. That calculation may be on the high side, but Dunn, who gets exasperated when he's thrown out from short right field or on a ball hit up the middle, won't dispute it. There's not much he can do about it when he gets pitched inside a lot. "It's really hard to hit a pitch that's running in to you to left field," he said. Manto doesn't want the shift to get in Dunn's head.

Adam Dunn, Harry How/Getty Images

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March 17, 2013 11:09 AM ET

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Stick a fork in him.

williewilliejuan

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March 17, 2013 11:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:09 AM ET 03.17 by williewilliejuan

Stick a fork in him.

No way dawg. 40 HR.

.ChiSoxFan.

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March 17, 2013 12:03 PM ET

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Not good for a career .240 hitter that struck out 222 times last year. Not good at all. But the paycheck is great.

50yearfan

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March 17, 2013 12:35 PM ET

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.204 with 27 HRs this year.

...the best policy

Harrodsburg, KY

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March 17, 2013 01:42 PM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 12:35 PM ET 03.17 by ...the best policy

.204 with 27 HRs this year.

Well, that is 45 points higher than he hit two years ago. He can hope I suppose.

50yearfan

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March 17, 2013 03:42 PM ET

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QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 11:27 AM ET 03.17 by .ChiSoxFan.

No way dawg. 40 HR.

He's become Carlos Pena v2

h2opololpunk

Gainesville, FL

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March 17, 2013 04:06 PM ET

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You'd need a jackhammer to get into Dunn's head.

(damn spinnies)

Jeff Boomhauer

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March 17, 2013 04:06 PM ET

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You'd need a jackhammer to get into Dunn's head.

Jeff Boomhauer

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March 17, 2013 05:29 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 11:09 AM ET 03.17 by williewilliejuan

Stick a fork in him.

boy, chicago fan wouldn't like this, then again DUNN has had this type of problems lower hitting average? no to worried, dunn could compesate this avg with a bunch of homeruns,,,

alacran

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March 17, 2013 05:33 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 03:42 PM ET 03.17 by h2opololpunk

He's become Carlos Pena v2

can you just imagine,,this two players playing in the same team in the same year??one DH/the other one in the first base,,, hitting 40 homeruns each one of them?? what a great moment for the team and the fans,,AVG? poor avg hitting below mendoza line? but 80 homeruns in exchange for low avg? that would be awesome!!!!