The Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend have released slumping Designated Hitter Frank Thomas, so does this mean the first brick has been laid for a possible Barry Bonds return to baseball.
The last we heard from Bonds' agent, he wasn't just sitting by the pool side sipping on Margaritas but was working out and preparing for a call to play ball and being the DH for an American League team is the perfect position for the current home run king.
If the Blue Jays call on Bonds' services in the next few weeks they could have something in common with musician Paul McCartney...both went after an old bat with one good leg, referring to McCartney's ex wife Heather Mills.
Thomas is 0 for his last 13 and is only 4-for-35 since April 8th. He is only hitting .167 with three homeruns and 11 runs batted in, quite a contrast from a season ago when he hit .277 with 26 home runs and 95 runs driven in.
Thomas is an almost certain Hall of Famer with 516 career homers, placing him 18th on baseball's career list. In addition, he has hit 264 career home runs as a designated hitter, the most in baseball history.
Thomas is in elite company as one of only four players in baseball history to have at least a .300 average, 500 home runs, 1,500 RBIs, 1,000 runs and 1,500 walks. The others are Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams.
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2 months ago
There may be no such thing as bad publicity, but I don't think any american league team (if any team at all) wants to be dealing with the pressure from the media that would come with Bonds. I live in England, so am rather out of touch with things, but last I was in the states the feeling I got was that public opinion was not in his favour. If this is the case, I would be surprised for him to make a return, especially after the Giants effectively said adieu. Of course, I would love to be wrong, I'd love to see the media frenzy that would follow.
2 months ago
if anything I figure Thomas to go to SF.
from 2 months ago
Seattle's a good destination too; they need a DH, and if they're not gonna sign Bonds...
from 2 months ago
Wait, no, Thomas can't go to SF; he can't play 1B!
2 months ago
There are a couple reasons why Bonds wouldn't get picked up by the Jays, for one, they got a kind in their Minors in Travis Snider who is a born DH, but the Jays may not call him up, and reason number two, Matt Stairs, and his beautiful mullet, is the man.
from 2 months ago
Just because Snider is built like Stairs doesn't mean he can't play defense at all. He's no savant, but he's acceptable in the OF corners, much like Stairs was at a younger age.
GO STAIRS!!!
2 months ago
Another reason this move wouldn't happen is theres no way Bonds would accept less playing time and he still thinks he should be playing left field, so he'd rather shoot for somewhere else. On the other hand he's desperate to get back in the game, and i think a team needing a boost in ticket sales (Tampa Bay?) would pick him up before Toronto.
from 2 months ago
If Tampa signs him you have to ask the question: Are they potentially ruining their current clubhouse atmosphere just to try and increase attendance? (Realistically the Rays have no shot of winning a title so that is all the management is honestly aiming for) To me the risk is way more than the reward. He still is constantly injured and can't play through the grueling schedule (what kind of message does that send to the younger stars that he gets all the breaks?). This isn't even taking into account the media circus that would follow him like a hyper-inflated entourage.
from 2 months ago
The media circus in Tampa Bay? Still, you don't want your young players' first taste of MLB to be marred by someone like Bonds and all his baggage.
from 2 months ago
No matter where Bonds goes the media will follow. If any news organization chose not to follow up the all-time HR king returning to action to try and break more records with the cloud of steroids hover of him doesn't know a story if it hit them in the face.
I wouldn't risk having him in any young organization because of this and many more factors. However, the list of veteran, championship caliber teams is running thin.
2 months ago
Also Bonds would cost a pretty penny. And they still have to pay Thomas.
2 months ago
Are you speculating here - or do you know something we don't
2 months ago
I think Bonds is coming back, to some team, and since it has to be an American League team, it might as well be the Jays...
2 months ago
The Rays won't have anything to do with him. They had the chance during the offseason, and passed it by. Not to mention, once the Rays DL is shortened we will have more than enough hitting power to have no need for Bonds.
As for ticket sales...when you compare this year to last year you might be surprised. Last year, the Rays consistently drew no more than 9500 fans every game. This year's low attendance was just over 12000 versus the Orioles, and I would guess we're averaging close to 15000 (I'll have an accurate number within a couple days).
So, in short, Bonds can go elsewhere, he's not needed in Tampa Bay :)
2 months ago
Listen to this. BONDS WILL DESTROY THE FAN BASE OF ANY TEAM THAT SIGNS HIM. No fan wants a cheater on their team, because even if they win a world series, they will know that it is tainted.
from 2 months ago
He's never been suspended under the drug policy; by all accounts he's clean NOW. So no, a 2008 championship wouldn't be tainted.
2 months ago
when you compare 15,000 to the Yankees 50,000+ average attendance, and Tampas 17,000 average, its pretty low. Tampa had the second lowest average behind only the Marlins last year, and in a stadium thats capacity is 45,000 what your stating isnt very impressive
from 2 months ago
That's the thing, I'm not comparing it to the Yankees, I'm comparing it to a year ago. My point is, we're on the up. Our total capacity isn't 45000, its 38 and change, which we sold out before opening day-last year we didn't even sell out. Give it a couple years and we'll be averaging 30000+ a game.
2 months ago
thomas was lucky to have a contract going into the season, or he would have started the season where he has ended up... washed up and not wanted just like bonds, piazza, and lofton
2 months ago
Michael - I am an avid, albeit often drunk, jays fan and we would absolutely love to have Bonds at the 4 spot in the lineup...Great mixup of L and R hitters, put him before Wells, etc., etc. And no, a World Series ring would not be tainted for someone who DID something that was NOT against the rules at the time.
2 months ago
It would be very surprising if Bonds got signed by the Jays. The Jays have too many good young hitters waiting at triple A for that to happen.
The main reason this move was done was so that the jays don't have to pay Thomas $10 million next year. That's too much money for a guy who won't start hitting till july, plus they will need that money if AJ Burnett opts out of his contract at the end of this year, and want to go after another quality pitcher.
from 2 months ago
Exactly. Chip Cannon!
2 months ago
matt stairs for president.
from 2 months ago
Right on!
2 months ago
i think the story here is frank thomas' release and possible retirement as one of the best hitters the game's ever seen, as evidenced by the stats given at the end of the article. when you're one of four, and the two of the other names are babe ruth and ted williams, you've done something special. mel ott's no one to sneeze at either.
2 months ago
The Blue Jays may want offense, but they want some legimate offense that doesn't cheat to get their stats. No way the Blue Jays (or any team for that matter) gets Barry Bonds.
And he's not sippin margys by the pool, he's gulpin down his steroid milkshakes like usual.
2 months ago
This is a situation which requires Toronto to seriously reconsider signing Barry Bonds. Bonds is healthy, ready to go, and an on-base machine. Statistically, if you look at the homers, average and RBI, Thomas and Bonds were somewhat similar last year. The only difference was Thomas drove in roughly 30 more runs, but then again, Toronto was a much better offensive team than the Giants. However, we all have to remember this...THOMAS HAD 531 AT BATS! Okay, so average and home run wise Barry and Frank are the same but...THOMAS HAD 531 AT AT BATS! Bonds had 340! Barry Bonds is clearly a far superior hitter than Frank Thomas. Bonds is at his best when he has hitters to protect him. Look at what he did when he had Jeff Kent to protect him. If Toronto is looking to compete then they have to sign Bonds. If this lineup isn't tempting to J.P. Ricciardi then he shouldn't be a general manager:
Eckstein
Hill
Wells
Bonds
Rios
Rolen
Stewart
Overbay
Zaun
from 2 months ago
Now that is a great lineup. Great mix of young guns and veterns. I also dont know how J.P. doesn't at least consider this. As everyone said adds a great left handed bat. Bonds would also fill the stands no doubt about it Michael I think you are very wrong saying it will destroy fan base. The crowds would be huge like 92,93 when there were 40,000 a game. I say BRING ON BONDS!!!!
2 months ago
i am bonds
2 months ago
As it is in baseball, pages have to turn. Piazza, Lofton, Sanders, Alfonseca, Mesa, Weaver, Wells, Bonds, Clemens, Sosa- and now Thomas are all out of baseball. I don't know if the whole seroids issue has created a desire amongst the owners to start anew...even if only some of the free agents mentioned were under suspicion of steroid usage.
For some reason, it seems like this year has particularly cruel for free agents, but then again, I could be just imagining things. I would be very surprised to see anyone pick up Frank Thomas. It seems that no club wants someone who starts slow. Nope, they want someone who is going to be red hot right out of the gate. Big Papi and Andruw better get going!
As for Bonds, I cannot see any club wanting this prima donna in their house. He could get a subpoena at any time in the season, he destroys the team concept at all levels, he no longer fields well, and he commands a three-ring media circus everywhere he goes.
2 months ago
The move for Bonds makes a ton of sense (and would add patience to a fairly aggressive Jays lineup), but I can't imagine they would take him on and his baggage if they were so concerned about Thomas being unhappy with less time.
But, what amazes me is the fact that this opening is exactly what the Blue Jays might need. They have a chance to get a big bat at a discount, and that is exactly the kind of risk that Toronto needs to take if they want to become serious contenders. Riccardi, unless you are happy with 80-85 wins and being a perennial AL East bridesmaid, pull the trigger on this one.
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