7/31 13:32: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports confirms that the Nationals did not trade Dunn

7/31 12:54: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “Exec on Dunn: “He’s not going anywhere. Bank on it.” #Nationals #WhiteSox #Rays #Tigers #MLB”

7/31 12:19: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “#WhiteSox still working on Dunn. Would be Jackson-plus. Source: “This thing is far from over.”"

7/31 11:56: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that Edwin Jackson from the Chicago White Sox for Dunn is a possibility, but the Nationals want the White Sox to add another player or two.

7/31 11:33: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: The Nationals are still talking trade with several teams on Dunn, as we get closer to the deadline.”

7/31 10:51: Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says the  Giants are checking in on Dunn. The Nationals want Jonathan Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner. GM Brian Sabean is firm on not moving either.

7/31 8:12: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says: Expect the unexpected today. Source says #Nationals getting late interest from new teams on Dunn – “longshots” being explored.

7/31 08:02: Buster Olney of ESPN says that if Dunn stays with Washington, the Nats would hope to get draft picks by offering him arbitration. If he turns down arbitration and signs with a different team, the Nats will get draft picks. However, there’s a risk there because he could stay, go to arbitration and get a one-year deal worth $15-16 million.

7/31 00:18: One minute Adam Dunn of the Washington Nationals is headed to Chicago, the next he’s a target for New York, the next he’s going to Tampa, but so far he’s staying put. It gets confusing with all the back-and-forth. Luckily, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports wrote up a quick summary of what has transpired:

• The White Sox are again saying that they are “dead” on Dunn, but they sent out similar signals on Thursday, only to revive discussions with the Nationals on Friday

If, as some rival executives suggest, the Nationals no longer want right-hander Edwin Jackson, there seemingly is little basis for a deal.

The White Sox obtained Jackson for righty Daniel Hudson, heir top pitching prospect, and another highly regarded young pitcher, lefty David Holmberg

To acquire Dunn without including Jackson, they likely would need to part with another strong prospect package.

• Dunn, abruptly shifting course, told reporters Friday that he would be comfortable becoming a DH for the final two months of the season.

In a recent interview with CBSSports.com, Dunn had said he would “probably go home” rather than serve as a DH. Yet, even if his newfound enthusiasm is sincere, there is no way to know how he would adjust to the new role after spending his entire career in the National League.

The Yankees, who acquired Lance Berkman on Friday when they became frustrated with their inability to get Dunn, seemed unconcerned about the difficulty of such a transition; they figured Dunn would be so thrilled to be a Yankee, everything would be fine.

The Rays, on the other hand, would have greater reason for worry. They released Pat Burrell after he adjusted poorly to being a DH. Dunn offers greater upside, but still would be a gamble — and the Rays still would need to satisfy the Nationals with a trade offer.

• If not the White Sox, if not the Rays, then who? The Nationals lost leverage when the Yankees shifted to Berkman and dropped out of the bidding. The Giants are involved in a variety of pursuits, but do not seem serious about Dunn.

Rosenthal cautions that the unexpected could happen in the final hours before the trade deadline, so maybe a mystery is lurking in the shadows ready to snap Dunn up at the last minute.