Yes, the biggest need for the Phillies is a pitcher. But an extra bat wouldn't hurt. Just ask Charlie Manuel.
“Yeah, I think we could use a bat. We could use a good bat. You've got to remember, good bats are competition. That can't do anything but make you better."
Here is a name for you in Philadelphia. How about Barry Lamar Bonds? Yes, it is a crazy idea and likely would never happen...but the idea is right on so many levels.
- The Phillies wouldn’t have to give up anything to get him. No prospects, nothing at all. The prospects could still be used to get the pitching help the Phillies need.
- The Phillies are always looking for a bargain. Reports have Bonds willing to play for the league minimum.
- Since June eighth, as a team, the Phillies have hit just .238 and averaged just 4.35 runs per game. Last year, on a down year, Bonds still hit .276 and 28 home runs, while carrying a .565 slugging percentage.
- Bonds would be an improvement over the current platoon in the outfield. Last we checked, Jenkins was batting only .241 and Taguchi only .200.
- Bonds, at his age and with his knees, would be a liability as a fielder. But can he really be much worse in the field that Burrell? And his bat would more than make up for his poor fielding a few games a week.
- As Manuel said, competition is a good thing and Bonds would certainly bring that.
Again, the odds of the Phillies making a move for Bonds are slim to none. Bonds is too much of a circus act with his attitude and baggage.
But as a fan, isn’t having your team win the ultimate goal? Isn’t that why we go to the park? Bonds would definitely help in the win column. Let Gillick and Montgomery worry about the publicity...they owe us fans anyway!
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3 months ago
I can't see Bonds fitting in with the Phils. Sure, he can positively impact the team offensively, but the Phils have that offense--it's just dormant right now.
Bonds is a more of a liability to the clubhouse than anything else.
3 months ago
"...But can he really be much worse in the field that Burrell?..."
Look it up...Burrell has no errors this entire season. That's a big fat NIL in 692 innings of play. That's a big fat NOTHING in 90 games. He has 8 assists, although, the official tally for 2008 only shows 7 Assists. Sure, he runs like a three legged dog on roller skates...but NO ERRORS AND 7 OFFICIAL ASSISTS (actually, 8). How does the competition stack up?
3 months ago
Bonds would improve any team's lineup. But teams have apparently done their own cost-benefit analysis and determined that he's just not worth the headache anymore.
Ain't happenin'.
3 months ago
It would be fun to see what Bonds could do in that line-up. He would actually get pitches to hit.
2 months ago
potentially the worst idea ever. Too much unwanted media attention, a defensive liability, a clubhouse cancer, a huuuuge ego on a team with very few, an unhappy backup outfielder and an all-around awful, cheating, lying guy. Sign me up!
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