Rays Considering Bonds, Piazza, Lofton

It wouldn't make sense for the Rays to sign Bonds. Not only because of the logjam, but they also shipped off Dukes and Young in part because they were a distraction to the team. I don't see them making moves to get rid of the distractions only to bring in the biggest one in history.

That said, somebody needs to sign Bonds to a bargain contract with some sort of protection written into that contract on the off chance he gets shipped off to the slammer. I just don't know which team is the best fit.

Friggin Mariners should just sign Barry Bonds already.

They obviously are going for the win-now approach with the Bedard trade so I don't understand why they are content with such a weak line-up

And Gary Matthews Jr

With that said Irs.. I'm not completely sure where Bonds belongs, but IMO I definitely think someone should sign him, even if it is for one year. He will walk literally twice a game, hit the long ball, and easily post an OPS over 1.0%. You mentioned the Angels, there is no room for him there. Whereever he ends up, it has to be an AL team because his fielding days (or playing days for that matter) are coming to an end.

I very rarely comment on anything on this page. In fact, this is the first time. But, come on people, get with the program. You can't use a guy who has a lifetime .444 OBP, is the all-time leader in home runs and would instantly pay for himself in season ticket sales for whoever signs him? That's ridiculous!!!!!! Forget the steroids because all fans will forget anyways, once their team is winning. This guy is a winner!!!!!! This would be the smartest move of all-time for the Devil Rays. I only wish the White Sox realized this. Come on, Kenny. If you're reading this, think about it. We would have Swisher, Thome and Bonds as the 3-4-5 hitters. This would tire pitchers out so much, they be taken out after 3 innings. LOL. I urge you Kenny to walk in at the last minute and take him. Then, we can finally win the World Series again :)

"Yeah, I don't get why the Mariners don't. I hear they're super image-conscious, but given the short-term window they have, Bonds would give them a huge boost. If not at DH, then LF, I can't imagine he's (much) worse than Ibanez at this point. They NEED him if they're thinking about contending."

I doubt that they're image-conscious considering they signed Jose Guillen last year and they have no problem keeping Mike Morse on their roster.

God I hope they sign him. He makes the team a playoff contender this season. Hes only considered a jerk by the media. Most players say he keeps to himself. He might not be friendly but that doesn't mean he ruins team chemistry. The Rays would be so much better with him hitting clean up its not even funny.

The talks for Bonds with the D Rays are bogus

The Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays are saying that there is nothing to published reports that the team is interested in signing Barry Bonds. "It's a non-story," said executive vice-president Andrew Friedman through a team spokesman.

I already commented under Bonds to Japan on why Bonds to the Rays makes no sense so I won't repeat myself, but I will comment on Bonds to other teams. Fist let me say that I hope Bonds doesn't get to come back, not because of steroids, more because he's simply a jerk. Having said that, I completely agree that teams like the Mariners and White Sox would probably be very smart to sign Bonds. Both those teams have overestimated how good they are this season and have spent the money and made moves that suggest they think they can win this year. Both of them could use a big bat liked Bonds in the middle of that lineup...especially the Mariners, who are the better team anyway.

The M's did a lot to improve their pitching, but their lineup...they had 1 guy with 100 RBIs last year (Ibanez) and Beltre led the team in HRs with 26. This team is screaming for a big bat in the middle and if Bonds takes ABs away from Brad Wilkerson (.786 OPS) in LF, Jose Vidro (.775) at DH and Richie Sexson (.694) at 1B (with Vidro shifting to first) that wouldn't be such a bad thing.

No matter where he goes, that man brings too much baggage with him. Just like Clemens now, with the whole steroid era, do you really think the fans will take him in as an actual player?

Wow, if we had dye, bonds and swisher, maybe we could play both swisher and alexi ramirez in center, and orlando or uribe can play both ss and 2b at the same time?

haha slowest OF ever

Bonds belongs in Tampa

And Guitar Hero is right... he would DEFINITELY help attendance there, even if it's just for people to boo him. But, honestly if he keeps them in contention, they won't be booing him for long. And this coming from me - a die hard, Bonds-hating, Dodger fan. The man is still superhuman at the plate

still *see* Seattle

Yeah, yr right. Seattle is the team best suited to take Bonds. It would be mutually beneficial. Seattle is kind of like San Diego in that its media is not as crazy as some other cities, and the M's could use his bat in their win-now approach.

How much does the prospect of losing draft picks impact the decision not to sign a Type A like Bonds? The guy put up a 1.045 OPS last year in 126 game in a league where he had to play the field. Where else can you find a 1.000+ OPS with a short-term commitment?

I actually think a team like Tampa Bay makes tremendous sense. You have a franchise on the brink of legitimacy in terms of winning, and no discernable fanbase to alienate by bringing in Bonds. In fact, Bonds would likely be another draw to put butts in the seats even when the Red Sox or Yankees aren't in town. Sure, there might be concerns that he would "poison" the youth movement, but at some point you have to ask if Bonds snubbing a 19- or 20-year-old up-and-comers will really stunt the kids' development.

The man can hit, and despite all the vitriol, he puts fans in the stands. In a market like Tampa, I'd make room at DH for him. If PED use is grounds for barring, then Andy Pettite should also be checking the Japanese baseball classifieds. And if being a nice guy were a requisite for being a baseball player, Ty Cobb and Ted Williams wouldn't have had jobs. In fact, I don't think Gary Sheffield would ever have made it out of Milwaukee.

If you are giving up draft picks then you better be sure that you are going to the playoffs OR that Bonds will be a net positive in your finances.

I'm also not sold on his ability to draw people.

To me, the only teams that should be looking at Bonds are those located in the AL, have a need at DH, and are reasonably close or expected to make the playoffs. That's a small crowd.

Bonds' best play may be to sit and see what injuries crop up. A hot Yankee team suffering through a Giambi injury might be willing to shell out big bucks to get Bonds in their lineup (ala Clemens).

walkoffblast: good note on not loosing a draft pick for him.

CF-Ichiro
SS-Bentancourt
DH-Bonds
3B-Beltre
LF-Ibanez
1B-Sexson
C-Johjima
RF-Wilkerson
2B-Lopez

Put Vido in for Bonds and that lineup looks auful. They're trying to win the division, Tampa isn't: they're just trying to be competitive, plus they just traded 2 headaches in Young and Dukes.

Bonds always made the guy who batted in front of him better (Rich Aurilia for instance). For Tampa, providing Pena w/protection would be excellent. In Seattle, he ought to bat behind Beltre. In Anaheim, behind Vlad. Any AL team's production would clearly benefit w/Bonds in the line up.