Gee, ya think?

Wait ... so you're saying that teams aren't jumping at the chance to sign a 43 year old player with a chronically troublesome knee who is currently under federal indictment?  I'm sure several teams have discussed the idea.  But who the heck would to reserve a roster spot for that player?  This isn't an anti-Bonds issue ... it's common sense. 

First, there's the legal issues.  Do you really want to reserve a roster spot for a player who could be in jail when you need him in a pennant race? 

Removing the legal issues, there is the court of public opinion.  How many times has a team been skewered by it's fan base for signing a player with a questionable history?  I realize he is innocent until proven guilty.  But let's be realistic here.  You know your favorite team would have to deal with a ton of unwanted media attention if they signed him.  In some cases the player's talent outweighs the headache.  And a few years back, the talent would have done it.  But not anymore.

Beyond the legal issues, Bonds showed (painfully) over the past 2 seasons that he is, at best, a liability in the field.  That rules out the 16 National League teams right there.  Maybe they'd be interested as a pinch hitter, but come on ... he's not taking that offer.

So we're left with 14 AL teams to look at him as a DH.  Right off the bat we cross off Boston (Ortiz), Cleveland (Hafner), Detroit (Sheffield, et al), Chicago (Thome), New York (Giambi), Toronto (Thomas), Oakland (Piazza), and even Texas (Sammy).  We can debate all day about who is better, Bonds or one of the aforementioned players, but the fact is those teams are pretty well committed to those players, so it really doesn't matter what we think. 

That brings us to 6 teams who would even have a roster spot:  Tampa, Anaheim, Minnesota, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Seattle. 

Of this group Anaheim has it's own aging veteran in Garrett Anderson.  Minnesota is rebuilding, has promising slugger Jason Kubel at DH, and certainly won't pay enough.  Baltimore has Huff, whom they believe is a good fit there. 

So we're down to the final three.

Tampa has Gomes in the DH slot, and a host of younger players ready to take a shot.  While Bonds' bat could be a fit here, they look like they're really trying to build for the future with as few band-aids as possible (Percival filling a closer hole, for example). 

KC will could be another fit for the bat, but is also trying to develop Gload in that position.  They're not going to the playoffs, and certainly won't want to set prospects back just to get Bonds for a year.

Seattle?  Vidro is DHing, and maybe Bonds would fit here.  But maybe not.  I could see them taking a look during the season if they feel they're close and could use a little more pop from the DH hole, but I can't see them inquiring in March. 

Notice that without too much difficulty, and without needing to mention legal issues, HGH, steroids, or a bad attitude, the above list is already whittled down to 1-3 teams who might have interest if everything is just right? 

Blackballed by the owners?  I don't think so.  They didn't even have to fire off the first incriminating memo. 

Great post, Volleydog.

Just another example of why I can't stand Fehr; trying to make this about collusion rather than about common and financial sense, and the fallout from steroid allegations.

Thanks for clarifying the Oakland situation.  For some reason I thought they'd brought Piazza back to go along with Johnson & Cust, but I guess not.  Either way, your breakdown of their situation again eliminates Barry from staying in the Bay area. 

I guess his only real shot is going to be as the season wears on.  In reality, any of the teams out there could find themselves in an injury/unexpected lack of production bind that would warrant them taking a flyer on him.  But, again, that isn't collusion. 

Barry ... you played a long time & got the record.  It's time to hang 'em up before even your staunchest supporters start to wonder what you're doing. 

Let me get this right Volleydog.

You don't want a guy that has a bad attitude, hasn't shown the ability to help young players, can't play the field, can't play day games after a night game, can't stay health, has declining numbers, lost his attendance draw by breaking the record, is under investigation, probably knowingly cheated and wants $16 million per year.

You make to much sense, you would never make it in the players association.

Great post.

Excellent post.  Covered all the bases, so to speak.  Plus, it is a Bonds issue.  He is a 'roided up jerk who padded his stats artificially and by cheating.  Somewhere Hank Aaron is sticking pins in his Barry Bonds voodoo doll.  Then again, if he stuck a pin in Barroid he would probably deflate.