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A's need Barry Bonds...again?

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. 

2 recs  |  Comment 16 comments

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very well put

=)

"That was kind of funny. I heard we were in Mexico together drinking margaritas and talking about it, but when he was in Cabo, I never saw him. The only person I talked to was a bottle of Jack Daniels." Jason Giambi

by 510inDenver on May 6, 2008 7:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Roger that, passionately.

You shot out of the gate like a cannon. Your first blog on AN was a good start and I look forward to reading subsequent ones. Bonds has always been a polarizing figure and his potential (negative) influence on the A’s clubhouse far outweighs the (potential) offensive plusses. Heck, it’’s bad enough that the pieces we NEED back are going to take away people that have been making solid contributions (Harden-Eveland-Smith). Let’s not muck up the works any more than need be.

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 6, 2008 8:56 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Affirmative

Thanks for the kind words.

by passionately objective on May 7, 2008 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dr In The House

best way to cure cancer is to never get it in the 1st place keep the clubhouse immune

Lisa: "Swim toward San Francisco!" Homer: "I'm not made of money! We'll swim to Oakland."

by MajorRager on May 6, 2008 8:56 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Nice first fanpost

And I mostly agree with you. I do think Bonds would be a great addition to the team if it didn’t mean the A’s having to cut Jack Cust or Mike Sweeney and right now, that looks like what would have to happen in order for it to work out.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 6, 2008 9:40 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

A great addition?

I don’t know about a great addition, but definitely interesting. I’d prefer both Sweeney and Cust based on their ability to bring respectable numbers while not creating any negative distractions. Cust was in the Mitchell report, but who is even mentioning him anymore?

by passionately objective on May 7, 2008 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great article

It seems to me that teams are passing on Bonds not because he can’t still hit, but that he has impending legal troubles. It is certainly interesting that nobody has even offered him a contract. I don’t think this is a case of collusion, it’s more a case of owners not willing to sign a player who might bring the team negative publicity, or worse yet, might end up in jail.

Prince: This bores me. Is anyone up for a game of basketball?

by baseb3383 on May 6, 2008 9:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I have to admit

the impetus behind my “sign Bonds” statements kind of disappeared when the A’s had the totally unexpected gift of Frank Thomas dumped into their laps for free.

If he looks “done” in July, there might be more of a move toward obtaining Bonds; right now he’d be a supernumerary.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 6, 2008 9:57 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I have always been an advocate for signing Bonds.

However, like Paul, with Thomas in the lineup it now seems less necessary. I am still surprised that no team has signed him.

by IM4Oakgal on May 6, 2008 10:24 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

the A's do not need a new stadium in Oakland...

the one in Fremont will be just fine in 2012. Closer to fans and sponsers with money to spend.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 7, 2008 3:44 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Need is a strong word

I should have said that the A’s “should” have a new park in Oakland, the Fremont proposed park is beautiful, and strategically placed as well….but it’ll never be Oakland.

by passionately objective on May 7, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Could Barry play first base?

His mobility is the problem. It’s not his glove. As crazy as this sounds, Barry could be our utility player. LF, DH, 1B.

We have Buck, Brown, and Cust in the OF. We have Sweeney at 1B. We have Frank at DH. Barton doesn’t do anything for me.

Heres the million dollar question. Will Buck Brown Cust Frank Sweeney stay healthy all year long? If so, Barry would not be needed. If not, then he would be great. As far as put fans in the seats, I don’t know. It would put spotlight on the A’s. and I would maybe start attending the games in that god awful stadium in 50 degree weather with empty first and third seats. But for now, I’ll stick to my hdtv and 33 cent hot dogs on the bbq from costco.

by 1989WorldChamps on May 7, 2008 10:27 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Barton doesn't do anything for you?

22 year olds with .289/.383/.459 lines in their first 53 big league games don’t exactly grow on trees.

by mikev on May 7, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

1B?

I guess the answer is yes, he could play first base, but it wouldn’t be a smart move in my eyes. Barton clearly is not a AAA player, and hasn’t played himself onto the bench, which makes him a starter until that happens. With Frank at DH, and Mike Sweeney on the bench? What about Ryan Sweeney? Does anyone else not see Bonds moving out of the OF?

Oh, and IKEA hot dogs rule, they’re so cheap IKEA actually pays you to eat them. :)

by passionately objective on May 7, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dr in the house

best way to cure cancer not get it in the 1st place a poison like bonds in a young clubhouse there no room for him i rather sit and listent to him piss and moan cause he doesnt get any offers cause it leaked he wont step on a field for less then 10mil

Lisa: "Swim toward San Francisco!" Homer: "I'm not made of money! We'll swim to Oakland."

by MajorRager on May 7, 2008 4:50 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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