Bonds' Agent: Japan Is An Option

If Bonds is such a media mess here, it's not going to be much better in Japan. Aren't there values held a little differently there? I'm not sure they'll accept him with open arms. I still think he's a threat as a major league hitter.

I still think there are a few teams that could use his bat in the line-up. Like it or not, he is the home-run champ and one of the best hitters in the game. Hey, don't get me wrong, i hope he does well wherever he winds up.

I doubt he's blackballed as in Selig ordered teams not to pick him up. Ultimately there's a short list of teams who can afford him and a shorter list of teams who have a spot for him. Of them they probably don't want the baggage he'd bring along and yes there's probably an aspect of not wanting to go against the rest of the league and sign him.

There is nothing to the Rays rumor. The front office was just asked if they had ever discussed Bonds and they said 'yes'. Just as they have discussed every other free agent. They came out this morning and said it was a non-story.

Bonds to Rays doesn't seem to make much sense. As you said, they are already over-flowing with outfielders and DHs. They already signed Cliff Floyd to be the DH on most nights, with Rocco and Gomes also seeing time there. Those three will also see time in right field with left field taken by some guy named Crawford. And on top of that the Rays traded two guys this off-season who were both considerd distractions last year (Delmon Young, Elijah Dukes).

Let's forget the name for a moment. What team has a spot for the following player:

a) 1.000 OPS
b) Wants $10mm for 1 year
c) DH/LF, fielding liability in LF
d) Injury risk, will likely only play in 110-120 games
e) Brings media circus to the clubhouse
f) Might miss significant playing time due to court appearances/jail

It's not that he's "blackballed," it's that no one has a DH slot not occupied by a well-payed player, and no one has an empty LF slot to be filled by someone who won't fill it full time. The baggage comes secondary, but it doesn't help his case.

"He's a Type A free agnet, meaning the team that signs him would have to give up a high draft pick to the Giants"

Not true. He was not offered arbitration.

If he goes through the season unsigned and does not go to jail how was he not blackballed?

How about forget the name and look at the stats. Games/at bats should go up as a DH. Last year 126 games 480 obp and ops over 1.0. Such a player cannot even get an offer?

I think the Yankees should pick him up. Put him and his huge obp in front of A-Rod. Then makes one of Giambi or Matsui expendable. And since no one would take Giambi's contract, they can trade Matsui.

"Over the years Bonds has pissed off enough people in the game so that now, when he needs an opportunity, he can't get any love. Good luck, Barry. We enjoyed your years in the Giants uniform."

Obviously he's pissed off the fans, the media, and Bud Selig. None of them write the paychecks.
What GMs or owners has he pissed off so much to not even get an offer? I know the guy is a self-admitted "ass", but my impression is that he is generally respected by his fellow players. Anyone remember specific instances that he might have pissed off someone who could offer him a job?

It seems that Bonds' agent is not only working the Sping Training camps, he is working MLB Trade Rumors as "southernboy."