LaRussa/Bonds' agent talking

[mjohnson71]

I figured Barroid would end up in the AL where he could comfortably get the record. But now he could be hitting behind Pujols.

 

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16184208.htm

 

St. Louis expresses interest in the slugger

By Andrew Baggarly

Mercury News

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols, back to back? It's more than a fantasy league lineup -- and more than a rumor.

 

St. Louis Manager Tony La Russa approached Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, on Wednesday night and requested a meeting with the seven-time most valuable player.

 

``I want to talk to your guy,'' La Russa told Borris outside a steakhouse at the Walt Disney World Dolphin resort. ``Where is he? I want to talk to him.''

 

Bonds was a surprise arrival Wednesday morning, met with an undisclosed party and left the premises shortly after noon. He did not join Borris in a three-hour session with Giants officials in the afternoon, and it was unknown whether Bonds would return today.

 

Asked if he met with Bonds, Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty shook his head but gave what could be interpreted as a roundabout answer.

 

``We're trying to get our pitching in order first,'' Jocketty said.

 

La Russa made his request with Borris in the presence of a Mercury News reporter, then the two men spoke privately for several minutes. Afterward, Borris appeared shaken when asked whether Bonds had met with Cardinals officials earlier in the day.

 

``I won't confirm or deny that,'' Borris told the Mercury News.

 

Sources close to the process said the Bonds negotiating team might not be using the Cardinals as a mere ploy to extract more money from the Giants. Borris has stated repeatedly that Bonds has stressed playing for a contender.

 

``The only marching orders he's given me is to go somewhere he can win a World Series,'' Borris said last week. ``All he talks about is that ring.''

 

The Cardinals, fresh off their World Series victory, will get their rings on opening day and should be a contender to repeat. The Giants, who just lost ace right-hander Jason Schmidt to the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers, have much more work to do.

 

Bonds would fit the Cardinals' need for a left-handed hitter and outfielder. Strange as it may sound, Bonds could be considered a defensive improvement over current left fielder Chris Duncan, who misplayed several balls in the playoffs.

 

A source close to La Russa said he doubted that the manager would welcome Bonds. But La Russa is known for fiercely defending the 25 players on his roster, no matter how much scrutiny they come under. And Cardinals fans are among the most supportive in sports.

 

La Russa continues to defend Mark McGwire, another slugger whose reputation has been destroyed by his connection to the steroid era. As recently as a week ago, La Russa said McGwire should be voted into the Hall of Fame.

 

``I've watched him for years and years and years work out and take care of himself, and if any of us do that, we get bigger and stronger,'' La Russa told the Associated Press.

 

Bonds and Pujols would form one of the most accomplished 1-2 punches in history. Pujols is the only player in baseball history to finish in the top five in the MVP balloting in each of his first six seasons.

 

Even before the Cardinals emerged, the mere sight of Bonds at baseball's annual swap-fest was a fascinating development. He didn't fit the profile of most job-seekers at the industry's annual convention, most of whom arrive with acne, an ill-fitting suit and a kiss from Mom.

 

Instead, Bonds arrived as an out-of-work 42-year-old with 734 career home runs.

 

Borris said last month that some ownership groups had requested meetings with Bonds. Chicago White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf was one of few club owners known to be in the building Wednesday but said he didn't plan to speak with Bonds.

 

``We have a designated hitter, and a good one,'' said Reinsdorf, referring to Jim Thome.

 

Sources with the A's, Los Angeles Angels, Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Seattle Mariners -- all teams loosely rumored at different times to be open-minded -- confirmed that their clubs did not take a meeting with Bonds on Wednesday.

 

Many agents and club executives milling about the lobby viewed Bonds' arrival as a stunt that smacked of desperation. The fact that ESPN cameras just happened to be set up in time for his early morning entrance only heightened those suspicions.

 

Giants G.M. Brian Sabean declined to speak about Bonds; the club was said to be unmoved by Bonds' arrival.

 

Borris would not characterize Wednesday's session with the Giants -- by far the longest in what has been a highly postured negotiation. He said he expected to have further talks with the Giants before returning to California today.

 

The Giants expect Bonds to take a pay cut from the $18 million he made last season but are said to be comfortable they have the desire and the resources to give him a guaranteed number that would exceed anything he would receive elsewhere.

 

But if Borris is telling the truth, the Giants might not have what Bonds truly wants.

 

[TruffleShuffle]

so who will be the biggest a-hole in that lineup? Bonds, Pujols or Edmonds? And will umpires need to start wearing earplugs so they don't have to hear the incessant complaining about balls and strikes from those guys?

 

oh yeah, IBL too.

[soccer10k]

Apparently the Cards are no longer involved.

[KatJ]

Apparently the Cards are no longer involved.

 

Good. I would have hated to start an underground bonus fund to have Z earhole him but good.

 

I kid, I kid... but I sure would hate for the Cubs to have to face Bonds oodles of times during the season. Stay in the West, Barroids.