MLB Trade Rumors: Athletics interested in Adam Dunn, according to Tom Verducci

Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reports that both the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants "are among teams interested in acquiring Chicago White Sox slugger Adam Dunn before the Monday deadline for postseason eligibility."

Adam Dunn could bring an added power bat to what can charitably be described as a struggling offense that is sitting on a 22-inning scoreless streak dealing with injuries to key contributors. The 34-year-old left-handed batter is .220/.340/.433 this year, and hit his 20th home run of the season Saturday night against the Detroit Tigers.

Dunn has mostly impressed against right-handed pitching this season, an area where the A's have struggled with injury, felt most acutely when the A's were forced to start Craig Gentry against right-handed pitching and leave Jonny Gomes in a game when a right-handed pitcher was brought in to face him.

One worrying thing, however, is that like Oakland, Adam Dunn's August hasn't been all that great. He has only two home runs, batting .167/.203/.300.

The White Sox might be motivated to move Dunn, who is considering retiring at the end of this season at age 34, because they want to give younger players a try at first base during September callups. Specifically, the Chicago Tribune notes that first baseman Andy Wilkins has hit 30 home runs with Triple-A Charlotte entering last Friday night.

The A's need to complete any deal by the end of Sunday, August 31 for Dunn to be eligible for the postseason roster. All that remains is, what would the A's have to give up to get Dunn on the last month of a $15,000,000 deal?

UPDATE (6:52 AM): Ken Rosenthal reports that the A's are the front-runner in any Adam Dunn deal.

To be clear: Deal between #Athletics, #WhiteSox not done. Per source, A’s lead pursuit.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 31, 2014

UPDATE (7:00 AM): ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Giants are no longer on the list of suitors for Dunn.

As of this morning, San Francisco is not a potential landing spot for Adam Dunn in a trade.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 31, 2014

UPDATE (7:56 AM): ESPN's Buster Olney reports the A's are getting close:

The Oakland Athletics are closing in on a deal for Adam Dunn.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 31, 2014