Someone Please Sign Barry Bonds

A story came out today about an investigation into possible collusion against all-time home run king—and current free agent—Barry Bonds.

A month ago, there was talk that the Tampa Bay Rays possibly were interested in getting Bonds, but nothing came out of it.

The Los Angeles Angels had been rumored for a while before, but instead opted for Torii Hunter.

And the Oakland A's, who are seemingly in rebuilding mode, aren't biting either to sign the 43-year-old, despite whispers about their interest months earlier.

So Bonds remains unsigned, even though he is, according to agent Jeff Borris, in shape.

Bonds, who surpassed Hank Aaron's lifetime mark of 755 last Aug. 7, bashed 28 dingers and had 66 RBI in 2007, while batting a decent .276. And the home-run champ drew 132 walks thanks to being surrounded by a mediocre bunch in the Giants lineup.

Of course, despite Bonds' on-field accomplishments, teams supposedly are staying away from the baggage Bonds brings stemming from the steroid issue and the indictment on perjury, not to mention his reputation as a jerk.

Media members and fans of visiting teams loathe the seven-time NL MVP.

It would be a nightmarish PR move to pick up a player with all that going against him.

So what's in store for Bonds?

It would appear many in the media are loving it, the fact that their most hated athlete isn't getting any offers from any big-league club.

Obviously, it would be difficult for the players' union to prove collusion, but you're telling me that no team out there even is intrigued in taking a flier on a guy that can still hit the ball?

Granted, he can no longer handle regular outfield duties, but aren't there any AL teams out there that would benefit from Bonds as a designated hitter?

Managers and pitchers still fear the home-run king, as evidenced by the major-league-leading walk total from last season. With the game on the line, Bonds is still one of the top five players any manager would want hitting in a key spot.

The guy hit .276, for crying out loud, not .236. Bonds even boasted 28 dingers despite being walked a crazy number of times, not just high fly balls that die on the warning track.

Bonds can still contribute in the big leagues.

And, yet, no offers.

Once again, this goes to show how owners and management are hypocritical.

If teams are really staying away from Bonds because of the legal and drug issues, that's really bush league.

Baseball has benefited from long balls and the offense from the so-called "Steroid Era," and attendance has risen despite the BALCO scandal and steroid cloud hanging over the game in the past few years.

And anyone who thinks that general managers and owners really had no clue what players were allegedly doing to their bodies during that era, has got to be kidding themselves. Everyone associated with the game knew. And they said nothing and let it continue, because the home runs would keep the fans coming to the ballpark.

Now, some of the steroid stuff has come out—thanks to the Mitchell Report, among other sources—and teams are shying away from it all, shrugging it off as, "I didn't know this was happening," and seemingly blackballing a player the caliber of Bonds.

There may or may not be collusion going on, but the fact that no one is touching the home-run king is very fishy.

Should Bonds not play this season, I am going to enjoy it every time a contender drops a close game or underachieves.

For one of the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, or Tigers who don't make the post-season (given that the Angels are a lock for the mediocre AL West, and that there are only three other playoff spots up for grabs), I am going to laugh at the club that misses the dance.

Heck, if the Seattle Mariners somehow finish higher than the Angels in the West, which is unlikely but possible, I'm going to rub it in to fans in Anaheim.

They could have used Bonds in their lineup.