7/16 15:35: Dunn denied changing his mind about staying with the Nationals according to The Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore, though he did acknowledge being frustrated by not having an extension already in place since talks have been going on since Spring training.

“I mean, it’s been frustrating because of this, of having to answer the questions,” Dunn said. “That’s the thing that’s frustrating. Other than that, whatever. They’re going to do what’s best for them. I’m just here, man. Employee number 44.”

Dunn doesn’t sound to positive that an extension can be worked out.  Expect him to be employee number 44 for another team come August.

7/12 16:52: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets,

Heard this: Would-be free agent Adam Dunn has just about lost interest in working out a long-term deal with the Nationals because of what he perceives to be a lack of urgency from the team in working out a new deal. He does not feel there seems to be the same amount of interest as he has in working out contract. The Nationals are fast approaching fish-or-cut bait time with the slugger, who is fast approaching his seventh consecutive with 38 or more homers. At a time when power is becoming more scarce in the game, his value would appear to be high in the forthcoming free agent market — if the Nationals don’t move fast.

The Nationals have had conversations with other teams about possible deals involving Dunn, and it figures they will trade him if they don’t work out a contract extension in the days ahead. The White Sox are among the interested teams.

Yesterday, we heard from Nat’s GM Mike Rizzo, that Dunn is a “big part of this club” and it would take an “extraordinary deal to trade him, but we are going to keep our options open for anything that happens.”

The White Sox have had an interest in Dunn since late June, and recent discussions have had the Nationals asking for second baseman Gordon Beckham or right fielder Carlos Quentin.