The Tigers already have a glut of hitters, including DH candidates Gary Sheffield and Marcus Thames. While both Sheffield and Thames are right handed, Sheffield remains competent against righties, posting a .819 OPS against them during the past three years. Plus, they have plenty of outfielders already; Magglio Ordonez and Curtis Granderson will need to be rested from time to time and inserting Bonds as the DH full-time removes the possibility of giving other hitters partial days off. Due to an already clogged OF with good options available, Bonds doesn't make much sense in Detroit without a trade or two for bullpen help. And since good relievers are in short supply these days, it is unlikely that such a deal will be made and there has been no sign that one will materialize soon.
- B/R Ticket Guide
As for the Yankees, they suffer from a similar problem. They already have four outfielders who warrant regular play (Matsui, Damon, Cabrera, and Abreu) and a clogged DH situation. Jason Giambi is a liability at 1B and needs regular rest to avoid injury. Shelley Duncan can play 1B and OF and hammers lefties. Jorge Posada might need days off from catching once he gets back from the DL, and the DH spot is a perfect fit for him on those days. Plus, The Yankees are already heavy on lefty bats, making Bonds a less than perfect fit. And in the New York media circus, it is a near certainty that Bonds will dominate the headlines. All in all, this makes little sense.
The Seattle Mariners, however, are a different story. While they just called Jeff Clement and Wladimir Balentien, they still have room for Bonds. Their outfield situation isn't crowded; they have their starters (Ibanez, Ichiro, and Balentien) and Willie Bloomquist. No offense to Willie, but he's not an everyday player. Plus, their DH situation isn't that crowded either. Sure, Clement needs to start some days but he can catch and Kenji Johjima isn't exactly burning up the majors right now. If Clement catches against righties, then the Mariners have plenty of at-bats to give Clement and Bonds. Jose Vidro is washed up and has been for some time now. Additionally, the Seattle lineup only has 2-3 left-handed batters right now so there's no worry about overloading the lineup. There's nothing standing in the way of adding Barry to Mariners' lineup.
Plus, the Mariners are not built for long-term success. By trading away Adam Jones, they essentially went for broke this year. Adding Barry Bonds would make their lineup much more formidable and would improve their chances of catching the Angels in the AL West.
So how about it, Bavasi?
comments (14) write a comment »
write a new comment
8 months ago
Granted Bonds has the distraction that follows him, if I am an offense that is struggling (THE RED SOX), I would love to have his bat on the bench so he can hammer doubles off the monster and deposit bombs into the CF-RF bleachers.
Smaller market teams such as Seattle, Arizona, Colorado could all use him, but I don't think he'll stay in the National League. I also don't think he'll leave the West Coast because of family, and comfort. And I think the attention he would get in NY or Boston is the last thing he wants to confront on a daily basis.
from 8 months ago
The BoSox have no place to put him. They have a good bench and a filled OF (Ramirez, Crisp, Ellsbury, and Drew). They already have a full time DH in Ortiz who really can't play 1B. They aren't a good fit and I doubt that he'll take a bench role.
Seattle is in the AL, also, so they can use him as a DH. Arizona and Colorado don't need him because they can't put him in at DH and he's a defensive liability. Since he won't leave the West Coast in all likelihood, then the Mariners are by far the best fit for the reasons you mentioned.
8 months ago
I think you are missing a major player, the Tampa Bay Rays. There out field is not crowded and they could use a big bat to protect Pena. If they stay in this race, I would look for them to make a move.
from 8 months ago
Isn't it weird to think that the Rays don't have a crowded outfield? It feels like they've been loaded with outfield talent forever but now they have some space. I definitely think that Bonds would be a fit on the field. Off the field, though, is where I think there are concerns.
This offseason, Tampa Bay management made a statement by trading Dukes and Young. They're carefully building a clubhouse culture of professionalism, responsibility, and fun. Troy Percival has been a great influence on several young players. I don't think Barry Bonds fits into this scenario since he is surly at best (and also carries the aforementioned baggage). The Rays aren't trying to win this year, although they probably will exceed expectations. They're trying to win in 2009 and beyond as their pitching matures. I don't think that Tampa Bay management wants Barry to ruin the positive culture that is starting to form there.
8 months ago
Barry Bonds next home should be prison for illegal use of steroids any owner who takes him on is a fool and asking for backlash
from 8 months ago
This isn't a column about steroids. I'd rather it stayed that way.
from 8 months ago
But you gotta' know that's an overriding factor, Matthew. No matter how good Bonds is, has been and may still be, no team in the majors is going to touch him. He's going to be too much of a distraction 'cause every sports reporter is going to be on him like stink on a monkey and that's primarily because of the 'roids.
from 8 months ago
I agree with him. And to totally ignore the fact that he's used steroids and is being indicted on perjury charges is completely ignorant. The trial will probably go at least a couple year at which he will be too old and out of shape to play (without steroids).
from 8 months ago
There are players on every team who are suspects. Sure, Barry Bonds is a bigger name than, say, Jason Giambi or Andy Pettite, but having those guys hasn't destroyed the Yankees so far. As far as I can tell, fans won't care as long as their team is winning. For a win now team like the Mariners, the potential problems are outweighed by the upside.
Plus, the guy hasn't actually been proven to have done anything. Sure, I think he took steroids. But since when do we black list people based on suspicions and conjecture?
And if teams are colluding against him based on these suspicions, that's wrong.
8 months ago
the amateur baseball team i play for would love to have bonds play on the team.....
8 months ago
If you want a comment only on baseball worth then only an AL team should even look at him as a part time DH maybe good for only 70 to 80 games and hope he doesn't brake down from the lack of vitamins and supplements Balco was providing him.
8 months ago
If you want a comment only on baseball worth then only an AL team should even look at him as a part time DH maybe good for only 70 to 80 games and hope he doesn't brake down from the lack of vitamins and supplements Balco was providing him.
8 months ago
If you want a comment only on baseball worth then only an AL team should even look at him as a part time DH maybe good for only 70 to 80 games and hope he doesn't brake down from the lack of vitamins and supplements Balco was providing him.
8 months ago
sorry not sure why my comment was posted 3 times
write a new comment