Where Will Bonds End Up? (Should the Cubs Be Interested?)

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

Whispers are spreading of a possible scenario in which Barry Bonds would receive a relatively low contract offer from the Giants, prompting him to shop around but find no interest from other teams. A form of collusion, if you will, baseball's attempt to keep Henry Aaron's record intact. An MLB official denied it.

 

Ass or not, I wouldn't mind having Barry in LF for a year.

Edited November 2, 2006 by vance_the_cubs_fan

[Soriano12]

Some people call it collusion...I call it owners teaming up for the greater

good.

[wade]

Is this sort of what happened to Sammy, only on a smaller scale? I.E., they weren't trying to keep him from breaking a record, but not a whole lot of interest in spending a bunch of money on an older guy who possibly had benefited from chemical assistance?

 

I realize Sammy had declined more steeply than Bonds, but I still think it's interesting.

[Tracer Bullet]

If collusion against Barry Bonds is wrong, I don't want to be right.

[cubweiser03]

Some people call it collusion...I call it owners teaming up for the greater

good.

 

I call it opportunity.

[Yeti]

let the roid head twist, he hung himself

[CubmanPi]

He may just be old and injury-prone. That alone would be enough to get him a low offer from his current team and risk low interest from other teams. It doesn't have to be collusion, it could just be the business of baseball.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the difference in Sammy and Bonds is that Sammy's production was no longer there.

 

Sosa declined from 279/358/553 in 2003, to 253/332/517 in 2004 to 221/295/376 in 2005.

 

The decline from 2004 to 2005 was dramatic. While he might have bounced back, it makes sinse why teams would not take the chance. His 2003-2004 numbers are good while his 2005 numbers are simply not acceptable.

 

Bonds on the other hand has yet to show such a sharp decline. While he's not hitting like he did in the MVP years, he's still producing at an all-star level.

 

Bonds still hit 270/454/545 last year. He could still help a team. In fact his numbers are better than almost any hitter available in FA. While Carlos Lee will be the better long term sign, for 2007 only, Bonds is the better bet. Bonds might also out produce Soriano as well.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

He may just be old and injury-prone. That alone would be enough to get him a low offer from his current team and risk low interest from other teams. It doesn't have to be collusion, it could just be the business of baseball.

 

I'd bet any other player who could put up a 900 OPS would get at least one significant offer even with injury concerns.

 

Is anyone seriously suggesting that for an AL team he's not the best possible DH on the FA market and worth 10 million a year with his 900+ OPS?

[forbez18]

Will Sammy every play again?

[wade]

I think the difference in Sammy and Bonds is that Sammy's production was no longer there.

 

Sosa declined from 279/358/553 in 2003, to 253/332/517 in 2004 to 221/295/376 in 2005.

 

The decline from 2004 to 2005 was dramatic. While he might have bounced back, it makes sinse why teams would not take the chance. His 2003-2004 numbers are good while his 2005 numbers are simply not acceptable.

 

Bonds on the other hand has yet to show such a sharp decline. While he's not hitting like he did in the MVP years, he's still producing at an all-star level.

 

Bonds still hit 270/454/545 last year. He could still help a team. In fact his numbers are better than almost any hitter available in FA. While Carlos Lee will be the better long term sign, for 2007 only, Bonds is the better bet. Bonds might also out produce Soriano as well.

 

Good analysis. I just wonder if last season's decline (yes, I'd take a "decline" that good myself) won't cause genuine concern amongst g.m.'s that it may get steeper next year, and that - combined with age and possible PED's may keep people from a guaranteed contract.

 

I, like you, doubt it because he's not declined yet, but as a g.m. I could make the argument that it wasn't just about the record, that's for sure.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the difference in Sammy and Bonds is that Sammy's production was no longer there.

 

Sosa declined from 279/358/553 in 2003, to 253/332/517 in 2004 to 221/295/376 in 2005.

 

The decline from 2004 to 2005 was dramatic. While he might have bounced back, it makes sinse why teams would not take the chance. His 2003-2004 numbers are good while his 2005 numbers are simply not acceptable.

 

Bonds on the other hand has yet to show such a sharp decline. While he's not hitting like he did in the MVP years, he's still producing at an all-star level.

 

Bonds still hit 270/454/545 last year. He could still help a team. In fact his numbers are better than almost any hitter available in FA. While Carlos Lee will be the better long term sign, for 2007 only, Bonds is the better bet. Bonds might also out produce Soriano as well.

 

Good analysis. I just wonder if last season's decline (yes, I'd take a "decline" that good myself) won't cause genuine concern amongst g.m.'s that it may get steeper next year, and that - combined with age and possible PED's may keep people from a guaranteed contract.

 

I, like you, doubt it because he's not declined yet, but as a g.m. I could make the argument that it wasn't just about the record, that's for sure.

 

It would be a weak argument giving some contracts handed out in the past.

 

Even with a decline of 125 OPS points, Bonds is still going to be above 800. I just don't see how he doesn't get at least an offer of 6-8 million. If the Cubs pass on him at that price, I'd be pissed.

[biittner77]

Personally, I think it's a conspiracy to put Bonds on the Yankees.

[frostwyrm]

It's likely that no GM wants the embarrassment of having Bonds wearing his team's uniform while breaking Aaron's record. Bear in my mind that that would be a photograph tatooed on every baseball fan' brain for decades to come.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Bonds broke Aaron's record en route to leading the Cubs to the playoffs, I'd be all for it.

[Balsa]

To quote someone on the Sheffield thread:

 

"Just say no to outfielders on the wrong side of 35."

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

To quote someone on the Sheffield thread:

 

"Just say no to outfielders on the wrong side of 35."

 

When those outfielders can post OPS of above 900 and can be had on a one year deal, it makes lots of sense...especially to a team in need of offense!

[mul21]

I soured on Sosa when some of the things about him came to light. I feel the same way about Bonds, Giambi, McGwire and any of the other idiots who may or may not have cheated. I want none of those guys anywhere near the Cubs, regardless of the fact it may get them to the WS.

[Wheelimus]

Sign me up for eight million or less. Said it before, I'll say it again. Who better to march the Cubs right up to the gates of their own personal hell and break through it, than Barry Bonds? :lol:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Imagine if the Cubs could sign Bonds for 8 million, Schmidt for 12 million, and Soriano for 15 million.

 

CF Soriano

2b Theriot

1b Lee

LF Bonds

3b Ramirez

RF Jones/Murton

C Barrett

SS Izturis

 

SP Zambrano

SP Schmidt

SP Hill

SP's 4-5: Mateo/Marshall/Guzman/Prior or low cost FA

 

I think that team would win!

[Wheelimus]

I like it Vance, though I'd flip Riot and Soriano, if just because Sorianos power would be put to better use crushing Theriot home after he gets a hit or a walk. :D

[neely crenshaw]

let me get this straight-

baseball, a faction that has imbraced such notables as daryl strawberry,steve howe, doc gooden who took drugs while playing the game..basically killed their careers and teams.

absolutely relishes cheaters like gaylord perry or any number of hiters who have corked a bat!

enabled racists to exempt players based on skin color

has enshrined some of these very well known racists in it's hall of fame

 

but is going to pull collision on a guy because he used peformance enhancers (that were not illega)l to make himself a better player....

oh and by the way he has never failed a drug test...

 

sure makes sense.

[ConstableRabbit]

I soured on Sosa when some of the things about him came to light. I feel the same way about Bonds, Giambi, McGwire and any of the other idiots who may or may not have cheated. I want none of those guys anywhere near the Cubs, regardless of the fact it may get them to the WS.

 

Off-topic maybe, but what exactly about Sosa "came to light"?

 

Of any of those you mentioned: Bonds, Giambi, McGwire, plus Canseco, and Palmeiro (who testified in front of the Congressional committee) -- Sosa has the least against him. He never tested positive for steroids. No players or trainers have said anything about him taking performance-enhancing drugs. All we have is declining production and injuries. It's speculation.

 

If you are talking about the cork incident, that's a different story, but it's nothing compared to juicing, imo.

[NorthsideAvenger]

People talk about his offense, but let's fact it...at this point, Bonds defensively position are limited to pretty much 1st base and DH. This guy looks SOOOOO OLD in the OF, he makes Todd Hundley look good. I say let Detroit or Anaheim go after him.

[imb]

If Bonds broke Aaron's record en route to leading the Cubs to the playoffs, I'd be all for it.

 

at this point, if bonds can take us to the playoffs, he can burn an american flag while doing it for all i care.