It does not make sense that one of the greatest hitters of all time is not in uniform and on a Major League roster.
Barry Bonds should not be unemployed right now. Teams are scuffling and looking for ways to score. Star players like David Ortiz, Travis Hafner, Alfonso Soriano, and many others have been slumping all season.
Here are 10 teams in no particular order that need to sign Bonds immediately if they really care about winning.
1) San Diego Padres
This team is ranked last in the National League in many offensive categories. They have started Scott Hairston and Paul McAnulty in left field the last two games. Bonds would be a significant upgrade over those two. With Greg Maddux, Chris Young, and Jake Peavy, the Padres don't need a lot of offense, but Bonds would definitely get them over the hump and help them win a lot more games.
2) San Francisco Giants
The Giants should have never let Bonds go. They only have 18 HRs so far. The 2008 Giants are younger and faster, but Bonds would have been their power hitter who could deliver a few runs with one swing of the bat. It would also take pressure off all the youngsters with Bonds in the lineup.
3) New York Mets
The Mets will be in contention for the NL East crown, but it will be tough to win it without Bonds. He could help get them over the top. Carlos Delgado is no longer effective as a power hitter. Angel Pagan is no Bonds. Imagine a lineup with David Wright, Carlos Beltran, and Bonds in the middle of the lineup!
4) Chicago White Sox
The White Sox offense has struggled all year. They can't seem to score and power hitters like Jim Thome and Paul Konerko have low batting averages. The team as a whole is ranked dead last in batting average in the AL.
5) Cleveland Indians
This team had David Dellucci batting third in the lineup today and playing left field. Travis Hafner can do no right and is batting .215. The whole team has slumped all season and signing Bonds would be a big boost to their lineup.
6) Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays cut Frank Thomas and need another big bat. The team is struggling even though it has had some outstanding starts from Roy Halladay, Shawn Marcum, and Dustin McGowan. The manager, John Gibbons, has no clue what to do and his job is in limbo. They think Adam Lind can help, but a veteran like Bonds would be more valuable right now.
7) New York Yankees
The Yankees’ lineup would be lethal with Bonds as their DH. Imagine a lineup with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui, and Bonds. Jason Giambi has given this team nothing all year and Jorge Posada is out with a shoulder injury.
8) Atlanta Braves
Gregor Blanco and Matt Diaz in left field? How about Bonds? The Braves would upgrade with Bonds as their new left fielder. The Braves would be more potent with Chipper Jones, Mark Teixeira, and Bonds. This team needs better starting pitching but another bat would help out too.
9) Seattle Mariners
The Mariners need help badly on offense. This team does not score enough to win. Bonds could be their DH and bat cleanup which would lessen the pressure on Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson.
10) Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are not getting anything out of Jacque Jones but double-play balls that kill an inning or strikeouts. They could put Bonds in left field or as their DH. With Bonds, the Tigers won't have to worry as much about their porous bullpen.
comments (9) write a comment »
write a new comment
5 months ago
One could make a case for there being a roster spot on all 10 of these teams for Bonds, yes. That being said, however, it's a little hard to look past the indictments, steroid suspicions, and overall poison that his presence brings to a clubhouse.
In this case, he's a bit more complicated than the numbers on his stat sheet...
5 months ago
The ownership and management of these teams owe their fans to give the team the best chance to win. Bonds is respected by all the great players. It is easy to overlook all the so called negativity of Barry after he hits meaningful HRs for a team. I hope he comes back ASAP.
5 months ago
Couldn't agree more. Bonds might be someone that rival fans love to hate, but Giants' fans worshiped him. And he filled the stadium. Simply put, Bonds is the best hitter in recent generations & through last year he remained the most electrifying presence in the batter's box in this world. These teams are foolish not to sign him
5 months ago
Any team can use a left fielder with Barry's OPS. No doubt about it. As far as the Braves go, I cannot see Bonds getting along on with Bobby Cox or Terry Pendleton. Former Bonds pal Gary Sheffield played under Cox, but Sheff does not have the extremely dominant reputation that Barry does. I think the closest ex-Brave to Bonds' personna may be David Justice. But that's a rather weak comparison...and Justice did account for the only run in the Braves' only World Championship-clinching game.
From what has been reported of Bonds, he has taken egotism to a new level.
As it has been stated before, so much more than the stat sheet has to be considered when signing Bonds. There is a reason beyond collusion why Mr. Bonds is currently unemployed. I can see a higher profile market signing him- NYC, California or even Florida. The fact that it may appear foolish to the public that no one is signing such a talent leads me to believe one of two things: either all of the baseball executives in MLB are foolish blind or naive OR these executives know something not privy to the public. I choose to believe the latter. There is so much we do not know.
Sure, the Braves are trying out Blanco and Diaz. They both show great talent and promise as youngsters- much the same way Barry did in Pittsburgh all those years ago. The only difference is these kids had to claw their way to the majors without the benefit of having a former baseball superstar dad and HOF godfather.
from 5 months ago
Abner, you said this - "From what has been reported of Bonds, he has taken egotism to a new level."
What is always reported is biased reporting by the media. The same guys who call Bonds a jerk and tell the fans he is an asshole, a loser, and a malcontent time after time after time. WHy? Because he is rude to them and doesn't grant them interviews. Why do you think guys like Barry Zito never get bashed much in the media? Zito is a NICE GUY who the media finds interesting and funny and always willing to talk to them. Instead of calling him a weirdo, they call him "eccentric."
Bonds is adored and respected by all the great players like Jeter, Ortiz, David WRight, etc. The clubhouse will be a media circus with Bonds because of the media, not because of Barry. Is it his fault the media wants to talk to him and bumrush the dugout and clubhouse every day? They are the ones to blame.
5 months ago
barry is one of the most generous people also. He is involved with the UCSF hospital and donates money and time to the kids there. He recently helped raise money for the kids there in an event last week. I wonder why no one in the media mentioned that. U know why!!! it would ruin everyone's perception of him!
5 months ago
?
5 months ago
I noticed Tampa Bay wasn't on the list and I know they had discussions in the past and they have seem to come and go. One thing people always overlook about Barry is his knowledge of the game. While the media circus may be a overwhelm the perception of Bonds in the clubhouse, if a team can get past that Bonds could actually be a positive influence on younger players.
ESPN just ran a piece on how Barry Bonds helped Pujols become a more patient hitter. He's been known to go back to ASU (where he played college ball) and help coach the hitters. With guys like Upton, Longoria and Crawford looking to make that leap into superstar status, Bonds for his baseball knowledge, might even be a good influence, who knew.
from 5 months ago
The Rays were not on the list because they are not playoff contenders and with Bonds on the team, they still won't win. The pitching is still inconsistent and the only reason they would get him is to help bring in more people to the park. Bonds would be too far away from California and fans in Tampa don't seem to like him or appreciate him since they don't get too many Giants games over there.
write a new comment