FanNation

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/22, 09:17 PM
Bonds will unquestionably play this year. It's just a matter of when and where.

No way he retires right now. He's 65 hits shy of 3000 and 4RBI shy of 2000. About the only two milestones left for him to complete an incredible resume'.

The argument that teams won't take him because "he might be in jail by the end of this baseball season" died yesterday when his trial was again delayed and is certain to not take place prior to the World Series and probably not until 2009. Sorry, that one is a no go.

Now, for why some team will take Bonds on at some point this year.

1. It's a very long season. Injuries open up opportunities all the time.

2. .480 - That's Bonds on base percentage in 2007. Best in baseball.

3. 1.045 - Bonds OPS in '07. 6th best in the league.

4 12.1 - ABs for every home run Barry hit in '07

In short, Bonds is still one of the most feared players in the game with a bat in his hand. Their is no way the entirety of MLB will refuse to sign him all season long. Once teams set their 25 man rosters and the season begins to shake out, some team is going to realize what an asset a left handed hitting on base machine with tons of power is and sign Bonds.

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/22, 09:48 PM
Still be effective? That's the understatement of the year. He's still one of the premier hitters in the game. We aren't talking about a washed up player trying to hang on long enough to chase some milestones, we are talking about one of the top producers around

The SI article you reference was not that his team mates were uncomfortable with him, but with the craziness that surrounded him. With national and international media surrounding him at all times on his chase toward the HR record of course some of his younger team mates were intimidated a bit

The "clubhouse cancer" thing is THE most over used term around. For starters, it's mostly a media creation. Virtually every ex-team mate of Bonds who has spoken publicly has praised his work ethic and marveled at his abilities. I'm aware of no manager every having a cross word to say about the man, either

Ever heard of Reggie Jackson? He was probably the all-time king of "clubhouse cancers". Most of his team mates and coaches hated the guy. Worked out pretty well for the A's and Yankees teams he anchored, though

And Reggie couldn't carry Bonds jock when it comes to ability

His production can't be ignored. Some team will sign Bonds

Cowboys-Celtics-Chisox said 03/22, 10:30 PM
Dan Marino never won a ring. Ernie Banks, either. Under your definition above, I guess that makes them clubhouse cancers? In teams sports you can be the best player and person in the world and it won't a difference if the other players on the team aren't up to the task. How can Bonds possibly be blamed for not winning a championship when he never played on a championship caliber team to begin with?

You don't believe he could duplicate last years numbers based on what? OK, let's say his OBP drops. Instead of being #1 in all of baseball he slips to #3 or #4. Nobody would want him?

Certainly there are teams that wouldn't touch Bonds if he played for free. Not all teams, however. You think the Yankees wouldn't open him with open arms if they could some how dump Giambi? I'd bet my house they'd rather have Barry.

Some team is going to find itself in need of a top notch left handed hitter in order to contend. Bonds is that and he's available. Many teams would sign Satan himself if he'd put them into contention. Barry isn't quite as bad as Satan. He will be signed to a contract to play MLB at some point this season.