Hello Friends,

   Let me first say thank you for reading my blog, if anyone actually is, and welcome to my first blog on Athletics Nation.

   I was recently reading a column by The Great Art Spander, and he was lobbying to Billy Beane that the A's needed Barry Bonds.  Well, while the thought of an offensive weapon of Bonds' caliber would be intriguing, the cons heavily outweigh the pros in this instance. 

   Let's look at possible positions for Barry.  That's an easy one, OF and DH.  The outfield is currently a living definition of a logjam, with Cust, Sweeney, Denorfia, Buck, Brown, and Davis....where would Bonds fit?  Oh, did I mention that defense is somewhat of a concern right now, and Bonds is not necessarily an upgrade that this point in his career? 

   Ok, that leaves us with the DH position.  Well, that would be OK, if it weren't for the recent addition of Frank Thomas.  Oh, and Mike Sweeney could have something to say about it, but I guess you could just move him to 1B, right?  Oh, but then the question begs to be answered, what do you do with Daric Barton? 

   Well, I guess the A's could sign Bonds and just send down Barton and Sweeney to.....yeah, I won't even finish that sentence.  So not only are the logistics not there, but it's not a smart move by the club to bring in a guy like Bonds.  He is a proven force at the plate, but also a force in a clubhouse.  To take a clubhouse that's as loose and relaxed as Oakland's, and expose them to a the polarizing figure that is Bonds would hurt the very same young talent they're trying to develop.

   Imagine a young player just finding his place with the club, and he's just getting to know the guys and here comes Bonds with all of the negative media and attention.  Imagine having to all of the sudden be PC about everything you say about this guy because he took your job, but "he's the greatest ever"...or whatever.  Imagine going from an extroverted locker room to having to clam up and tread softly while walking on eggshells in a glass house during a rock slide.  I'm sure you get the point.

   So here is what the A's DO need:  They need a healthy Harden.  They need a healthy Chavez.  They need Crosby to stay on the field, and they could use a little more Travis Buck.  They need fans to show up.  They need a new ballpark in Oakland, not Fremont.  (But I'll take Fremont over the alternatives)  With all due respect Mr. Spander, they need alot of things, but none of which are named Barry Bonds. 

   Sure they could use the attendance boost, and the media attention, and the other sorts of revenue that comes along with one Barry Bonds, but I'll take my A's just as they are.