Certain value in Barry Bonds <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Barry Bonds to Boston? It is the ultimate deal with the devil. Bonds is a cheater and a liar and a scoundrel. He also is the smartest and most sensible way to help the Red Sox [team stats] if David Ortiz [stats] cannot. Me? I’m all for it. As long as he doesn’t stay at my house. Before we begin, let’s get this out there: The great likelihood is that the Red Sox have no intention of signing Bonds. Prior to last night’s game between the Sox and Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park [map], general manager Theo Epstein said there was nothing to a recent report that the club was having internal discussions about the slugger. Indications were that the Sox have all but ruled out Bonds as an option in the event Ortiz does not return to form following a wrist injury that has kept him on the disabled list since June 1. In the Sox clubhouse, a small sampling of players had mixed feelings about the prospect of adding someone like Bonds, who is one of the most talented figures the game has ever seen and one of the most contemptible characters it has ever known. A boor he is. A bore he is not. Now comes the tough part: At what point is a team or its fans willing to compromise their integrity in the name of winning? When does a man’s flaws as a person outweigh his attributes as a player? On the one hand, many Sox fans recently have said they would have difficulty cheering for Bonds or the Red Sox if the team acquired him. On the other, many of those folks would be cheering wildly the moment Bonds contributed to a Red Sox victory with a home run that further cemented his statistical place as the greatest home run hitter of all time. Try to be honest with yourselves on this one. What is good for the team generally is good for you. From a pure baseball perspective, let there be no doubt that this is a no-brainer of the highest order. Recently, the Red Sox have missed Ortiz mightily. They have been among the teams following Atlanta Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira in anticipation of the July 31 trading deadline. Teixeira, however, would cost a hefty price in terms of both talent and cash (should the Sox sign the free agent-to-be to an extension). Bonds, who hit .276 with 28 homers, 66 RBI and 132 walks in 126 games for the Giants last season, would cost nothing more than the money for three months. After that, no matter what, he walks. A la Randy Moss with the Patriots [team stats], Bonds gets the chance to show that he can help a team win games despite his potential to be a distraction. The Sox get a proven, middle-of-the-order slugger for not much more than the threat of a major migraine that will be gone by Halloween.</div>
Wouldn't be a bad signing, as long as the Red Sox are ready for that kind of distraction... and that's a big if. How much would he probably want salary wise?
A couple of million I bet. I really wouldn't mind signing him though, unlike a lot of Red Sox fans, who have said they would stop rooting for the Sox if that was to happen. I listen to WEEI (the local radio station) and its always fun listening to some of the weirdos say that they're going to stop watching the Sox after 30 to 40 years being fans of the team. He would help the team bear the missing of Ortiz, who might not be the same for the whole season due to the injury he got.
Yeah that's a bit of an overreaction. I'm guessing if the signing were to happen though, a good 85% of them would stay loyal. One thing I know about those Sox fans is they are loyal fans.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tim @ Jul 9 2008, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Yeah that's a bit of an overreaction. I'm guessing if the signing were to happen though, a good 85% of them would stay loyal. One thing I know about those Sox fans is they are loyal fans.</div> Yeah they are Tim, and I agree, I guess the radio makes them say thing they wouldn't say otherwise. Is there a date for baseball where FA signing stops?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Claud @ Jul 9 2008, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Guys if we sign him cheap, then i say bring it on and let's see what Roids has left in the tank.</div> He could always use a fresh set of them and help us win even more games.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Claud @ Jul 9 2008, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Guys if we sign him cheap, then i say bring it on and let's see what Roids has left in the tank.</div> He could always use a fresh set of them and help us win even more games. </div> Yeah.. If he wants alot of $$.. then no way man. We need more pitching.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Claud @ Jul 9 2008, 11:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ Jul 9 2008, 10:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Claud @ Jul 9 2008, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Guys if we sign him cheap, then i say bring it on and let's see what Roids has left in the tank.</div> He could always use a fresh set of them and help us win even more games. </div> Yeah.. If he wants alot of $$.. then no way man. We need more pitching. </div> I believe Theo will make the right choice, and yeah we need to address pitching first.
I'm still not sure he's worth the negative attention the team would receive. His numbers would likely be better than what's available, but he isn't what he has been before. Not having Ortiz opens up the DH position for Ramirez, Lowell, and Youkilis to take days off in the field. It gives Sean Casey and Jacoby Ellsbury more at bats and we are going to need those guys sharp in the post season, with or without Ortiz. The other thing is that David Ortiz is a major leader on this team and does a lot to establish the team's personality. Replacing him with Bonds' icy demeanor and the added media attention would send a potentially bad message to the team. Lets get some bullpen help and see what Ortiz can do when he gets back. I don't see a need for Bonds on this team.
... He's offering to play for the league min. That is what his agent claims. Bonds has offered himself to every team in baseball at that. Now I'm not sure why you all think he would want a couple million. -Petey
I don't know if he'd be worth it for any team, regardless of how much is spent. He'd be an enormous distraction regardless where he goes and would bring all sorts of negative attention.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Teams have shied away, not wanting to deal with the glare of attention Bonds would bring. The outfielder, who turns 44 on July 24, has been offered by Borris to all 30 teams for a prorated share of the $390,000 minimum. Borris said Bonds even would play for free -- offering to donate whatever salary he receives to purchase tickets for children. "The fact that no team in Major League Baseball has made an offer for Barry even at the minimum salary has created a level of suspicion that is currently being investigated," Borris said.</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3460993 No team has interest? Bad press is good press for some of the teams. I agree, there is some type of collusion. -Petey
