Bonds Indicted

by Blez on Nov 15, 2007 3:07 PM PST in News Comment 39 comments

This is breaking news; Barry Bonds has been indicted by federal grand jury on perjury and obstruction charges.

He suddenly becomes a lot less attractive to anyone on the free agent market. I don't want the A's to have anything to do with Bonds. Not that I think they are considering Bonds, but with A-Rod seemingly going back to the Yankees and Bonds in a whole mess of legal troubles, perhaps this takes a lot of options for the Angels off the table.

I guess it isn't really a shock to me. Will this kill Bonds' career? Or does talent trump all? What do you think, AN?

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interesting timing

the same day that cy young awards are hitting the wires.

In any case, what's the big deal? This guy has no rings, an average under 300, never won a ring... All of his records belong to medical history, not baseball.

by notah8er on Nov 15, 2007 2:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Just posted this in the DLD

With A-Rod going back to NY, and Bonds indicted, this sure is a bad offseason for the Halos.

Which means, of course, that I LOVE IT!

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick, 10/7/07

by doctorK on Nov 15, 2007 2:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Only thing better

Would have been if the Angels had signed him before he was indicted.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Nov 15, 2007 3:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

bonds

"I don't want the A's to have anything to do with Bonds."

what if we could get him for like $500k, are you saying you still wouldn't be interested?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 15, 2007 3:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Cust for less

so why take a risk?
By now, Bonds may even be an even worse fielder than Cust.

by MobiusKlein on Nov 15, 2007 4:45 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

why choose between the two

the red sox play both ortiz and manny.

bonds projections:
284/491/588 bill james
.256/.456/.518 zips

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 15, 2007 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe, but...

Is there any league rule prohibiting a batter from wearing an electronic monitoring anklet while in the batter's box?

by WannaBeGM on Nov 15, 2007 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If I'm BB I got to be jumping for joy..

not because Bonds could possibly face jail time but it looks like like we avoided the worst case scenario. With A-Rod on NYY, the AL West is anyone's game again. I don't see Bonds being touched by either us or the Angels now. Not to mention, it is kind of hard to play for a MLB team if you are in jail. If LAA does trade for Cabrera, I'm not convinced they are going to be a better team for all they have to give up. And anyways, it looks like LAD is outbidding them.

On paper, and with full health, right now I have to say that we match up (if not surpass in some areas) well with LAA. If I'm BB I commit myself right now to being competitive and go after a clever addition. (i.e. a CF or RP help)... make LAA fear what we are going to do and have to react. I guess what I'm saying is with LAA's options going off the boards, now is the time for the As to strike and make the AL West ours again... get on it BB.

by AsWin on Nov 15, 2007 3:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If Bonds goes to jail, I don't know if he would

try and play after that. However, if Rick Vaughn can make the jump from the Penal League to the Major Leagues then maybe Bonds can too.

by AsFanInLA on Nov 15, 2007 3:39 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

WTF?

Why are they interviewing Stephen A. Smith right now? It says NBA analyst beneath him. Is Bonds planning on trying out for the Sonics or something?

by Blez on Nov 15, 2007 3:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Stephen A has his own TV and radio show on sports

He is not only an NBA anymore....Must have been a mistake on the screen.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Nov 15, 2007 3:56 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE RACE ISSUE

OMGZZZZZZ!!!!!111111ONEONE

"He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Nov 15, 2007 3:59 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Stephen A.:

Most irrelevant man in sports. Who the heck is that guy? Does anybody like him?

Barry Zito Colonoscopy

by JediLeroy on Nov 15, 2007 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The actual indictment is on ESPN.com

http://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/...

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Nov 15, 2007 3:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy

As Yogi said, "It ain't over 'til it's over".

Now we wait for the other shoe to drop: The indictment for federal tax evasion. The feds take a really dim view of that.

Barry's new career will involve lots of lawyers and a court room.

by Concord Fanz Dad on Nov 15, 2007 4:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

speaking of tax evasion and "nice guys"

New York state tax officials want Derek Jeter to pay hundreds of thousands -- possibly even millions of dollars -- in back taxes and interest for the years 2001 to 2003, when he claimed Florida residency despite spending the bulk of his time in New York.
An administrative judge's ruling shows that Jeter has claimed Florida residency since 1994. New York state isn't going back that far, but it does want it's cut from Jeter's check from after be bought a $13 million apartment in Manhattan. Jeter made $34 million in salary from 2001 through 2003 and likely millions more in endorsements.

by Zonis on Nov 15, 2007 4:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and we all thought Jeter had a small range

The administration will punish those who have broken the rules. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Nov 15, 2007 5:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess Del Boca Vista was too tempting...

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Nov 15, 2007 7:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

He was only in New York for the Willards . . .

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Nov 15, 2007 7:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Tax avoidance and tax evasion

There is a significant difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion.

One is simply a good business practice.

The other will land you in prison.

The Jeter matter is a legal dispute over tax avoidance.

by Concord Fanz Dad on Nov 15, 2007 7:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why would Barry want to keep playing?

If this had happened before he passed Aaron, I could see him desperately trying to keep playing, if any team could be found who would dare to sign him under the circumstances. But now, what's in it for Bonds? He doesn't need the money -- even the huge legal bills he'll be racking up can't make that much of a dent in his current net worth. If he does get indicted for tax evasion as well, there's no point in making more money to get confiscated by the feds. He doesn't need to prove anything -- the people who thought his record was tainted before will certainly not be persuaded by any future performance. And he certainly doesn't need the aggravation. What Barry does need to do right now is figure out if there's any information that he has that could be valuable to the feds, and start making the best deal he can. And my guess is that he knows that; I think he's a creep and an egomaniac, but he's not at all stupid.

Pitchers and catchers report February 9, 2008! (tentative)

by Englishmajor on Nov 15, 2007 4:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

3000 hits

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 15, 2007 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and to put the home run record

as out of a-rod's reach as he can

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 15, 2007 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps because he actually loves the game?

Creepiness and egomania aside, his entire life has been defined by baseball. I would imagine that would be something he'll hang onto until it's totally and utterly denied to him.

How many marginal talents hang on until well past the point where (a) they no longer need the money, and (b) it's clearly demonstrated that they can no longer compete?

The administration will punish those who have broken the rules. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Nov 15, 2007 5:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As always, there's a fine line between

love and codependence.

"It was inevitable that his natural man-love for all things catcher would eventually overcome his grief at the loss of Jason Kendall." -- PaulThomas

by oblique on Nov 15, 2007 5:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If he still actually loved the game

Don't you think he'd play as much as possible and not be so pompous as to inform his manager whether or not he felt like playing on a daily basis?

by mikev on Nov 16, 2007 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Why are the Angels out of options?

There are still outfielders on the market, like say a guy one year removed from a 50 hr season (Andruw Jones), and the Angels could get another pitcher to replace Bartolo. I love the fact that A Rod and hopefully Bonds aren't going there, but I think the A's will only match talent with the Angels, not exceed it, and thats assuming the A's are completely healthy. However, if Vlad goes down, which seems to be a possibility lately, along with Garret Anderson and Kendrick hits a sophomore slump, then all bets are off and I would put my money on the A's. Lastly, the A's should watch out for the M's too, because they are no joke.

"He'd (Reggie Jackson) give you the shirt off his back. Of course he'd call a press conference to announce it" Catfish Hunter

by maffew on Nov 15, 2007 4:34 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

LAA isn't out of options..

just now going into weaker options. The theory was if LAA got A-Rod they would dominate the AL West. That looks very unlikely since it's pretty much a done deal A-Rod is staying in NYY. Right now, I'd say we are at least even SP wise with LAA. Sure, they could trade for someone but none of the significant options are going to be cheap. In other words, they are going to have to give someone up.

The point I was making is that with A-Rod not in the picture and with us being able to match up, we should make the first strike and have the Angels make a desperate move in their response. Thinking out loud, what if we acquired a Fukudome or a solid bullpen arm. Or even a lower end of the rotation SP. While LAA continues to draft at the board, we should be making our moves to improve.

by AsWin on Nov 15, 2007 4:48 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So... how big WILL the shitstorm be

when the Mitchell report, among other things, is released?

by Zonis on Nov 15, 2007 5:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm stocking up on TP

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick, 10/7/07

by doctorK on Nov 15, 2007 5:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

by Fungo on Nov 15, 2007 6:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mitchell's a Selig crony

My guess: Mitchell names <10 names, the whole thing gets a big flapdoodle in the press that then dies out after 3-4 days.</p>

The administration will punish those who have broken the rules. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Nov 15, 2007 5:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and of course

no one from the red sox.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Nov 15, 2007 7:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're all missing the big picture -

Beane's whole genius strategy is to "buy low" and "sell high". Bonds' value will never be lower. Sign him and put him at SS.

Offensive punch and humor, in one fell swoop. Especially if Cust plays 2B. (Ellis can DH - he's a pretty good hitter.)

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 15, 2007 7:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'm in

As long as Jeremy Brown assumes the Herb Washington role on the team.

I'd like to eat my lunch, but Billy just kicked me out of my office.

by BlameChannel53 on Nov 15, 2007 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Just one question:

Why is the prosecuting attorney's name "HollywoodOz"?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Nov 15, 2007 7:36 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

MARTY LURIE on KNBR at 8:00 p.m

I know it's the Gigante homer station, but if anyone's curious to get Marty's take on this, tune in now...

by WannaBeGM on Nov 15, 2007 8:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Or another option...

to trump the LAA..

Is that in midseason 2008, if we fall out of contention, we can rebuild and later compete at the same time. If I am reading the contracts right, we trade Danny to a place he absolutely hates for some amount of prospects. Danny could then at the end of the season opt out of his contract since he was traded with multi-years remaining in his contract and become a free agent. With the money we have saved and with additional people coming off the books (i.e. Kotsay), we could resign Danny to a new contract.

Thus, basically one team gets Danny for a couple of months and later we can re-acquire him plus whatever his return was. It would take a lot of cleverness and communication, but hey if A-Rod can do it.. why not Danny?

by AsWin on Nov 15, 2007 8:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Couple things

First, if Haren DID opt for FA, he'd get an absolute fortune on the FA market, and we wouldn't be able to resign him. And if we did trade him to a place he hated, he prob wouldn't come back to us now would he? And asking him to do this scenario would violate MLB's rules and policies.

Second, I am not sure if Haren can opt out of his contract. I think what he can do is demand a trade.

by Zonis on Nov 15, 2007 10:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs