BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Yahoo!: Brown - Thomas has offers from A’s, another team [updated]

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Yahoo!: Brown - Thomas has offers from A’s, another team [updated]

~~Frank Thomas is expected to sign with the Oakland A’s later today, according to a baseball source, reuniting the aging slugger with the team he hit 39 home runs for in 2006.~~ Frank Thomas was close to signing with the Oakland A’s on Wednesday until another team made an offer at the last minute, according to a baseball source. The second offer, from an undisclosed team, at least temporarily put the brakes on the A’s deal, which would reunite the aging slugger with the team he hit 39 home runs for in 2006.
...
The A’s have had little production from their designated hitters. Jack Cust is batting .148 with one homer in 54 at-bats, and Mike Sweeney has only a .346 slugging percentage in 52 at-bats.

SportsTicker: Athletics claim [Rajai] Davis on waivers

The Oakland Athletics on Wednesday claimed outfielder Rajai Davis on waivers from the San Francisco Giants… To make room on the roster, the Athletics designated righthander Kirk Saarloos for assignment.

NTNgod Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:40 PM | 85 comment(s)
Related News: General, Oakland, Toronto

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1. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Seattle Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:42 PM (#2756167)

Yay. So does Sweeney go on the DL or is he gone?

2. jonathan (Joseph HannaCust) Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:42 PM (#2756168)

YES! YES! YES!

3. fear and loathing in birdlives Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:49 PM (#2756175)

I would just ride it out with Cust since the A's are rebuilding, but maybe Billy thinks he can flip Thomas at the deadline.

4. Traderdave Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:51 PM (#2756176)

Bonds' collusion case is now airtight.

Oh, and very glad to see this move, Hurts stillhas some gas left in the tank.

5. Miss Remember Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:52 PM (#2756177)

but maybe Billy thinks he can flip Thomas at the deadline.

I would think anyone who would be interested in him at the deadline would've had interest now but who knows.

Bonds' collusion case is now airtight.

Or this is just a testament to no one wanting the baggage that the poster boy of steroids brings.

6. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:54 PM (#2756179)

Or this is just a testament to no one wanting the baggage that the poster boy of steroids brings.

Or that Bonds is demanding millions, while Thomas will likely cost the A's little more than pro-rated league minimum.

7. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:55 PM (#2756181)

By the way, the link is either broken or has been taken down.

8. fear and loathing in birdlives Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:56 PM (#2756182)

I would think anyone who would be interested in him at the deadline would've had interest now but who knows.

Perhaps Billy thinks Thomas will rehab his value by performing well.

9. BTF's left-wing cheering section (formerly_dp) Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:58 PM (#2756185)

I hope Thomas makes JP look foolish on this one. Because he came into a system loaded with talent, JP's Jays haven't looked as bad as they should. Rios, Doc, Wells and even McGowan were all inherited. I'm not huge on GMs kissing players' asses, but you can't gripe about free agents not wanting to come to Toronto then treat them the way they've treated Koskie, Glaus and Thomas when they do (Glaus wasn't a FA but did sign an extension after the trade). All else being equal, top-flight talent will opt to go somewhere else rather than deal with a whimsical GM who could turn them from franchise savior to pariah after a two week slump. JP made an enemy out of Delgado, and as a result failed to get even a draft pick for him. And Delgado was as big a fan of Toronto as anyone save Robbie Alomar.

10. Danny Posted: April 23, 2008 at 06:58 PM (#2756186)

There's no point in claiming Davis unless Buck's headed to the DL. I wonder how long they'll keep mSweeney. He looked like he could barely jog after his single last night.

Oh, and w00t!

11. NTNgod Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:05 PM (#2756197)

ESPN's Olney:

...sources say the Athletics were in discussions with Thomas' agents Wednesday, three days after he was cut by the Toronto Blue Jays.

It is curious the Yahoo story vanished.

12. Monty Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:07 PM (#2756200)

Or that Bonds is demanding millions, while Thomas will likely cost the A's little more than pro-rated league minimum.

On SI today, Jon Heyman quotes Bonds's agent saying that Bonds has received no offers, not even for league minimum:

"No team has made an offer at any price at any time. That's a simple fact,'' Bonds' agent Jeff Borris told SI.com. "At this point in time, no club has even offered the minimum salary.

13. jonathan (Joseph HannaCust) Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:09 PM (#2756203)

Yeah, weird. Davis is kind of redundant, what with Sweeney and Denorfia already in tow. It wouldn't surprise me if Buck was headed to the DL, though. He's looked absolutely awful at the plate, maybe it's an injury that's been holding him back.

But whatever, I love Frank Thomas.

edit: Although maybe they haven't signed him, yet.

14. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:10 PM (#2756204)

On SI today, Jon Heyman quotes Bonds's agent saying that Bonds has received no offers, not even for league minimum

That's because everyone knows that Bonds won't sign for league minimum, or anything close to it.

15. mikeA Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:12 PM (#2756207)

Hope this is true. I love me some Big Frank.

16. MSI Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:13 PM (#2756209)

1) I hope the Jays sign Bonds.

2) If Thomas does well, and that causes JP to be fired by looking bad, I'm all for it!

17. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:14 PM (#2756212)

Rajai claimed by Oakland? Huh, didn't see that coming.

18. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Seattle Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:16 PM (#2756216)

Bonds doesn't seem like a JP sort of person. I'm not getting the point of Davis, unless he's a 10 day stopgap in the mold of Ryan Langerhans.

19. Danny Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:19 PM (#2756224)

Bonds doesn't seem like a JP sort of person. I'm not getting the point of Davis, unless he's a 10 day stopgap in the mold of Ryan Langerhans.

Buck is out with shin splints, and CarGo is their only healthy OF on the 40 man roster in the minors (Robnett, Herrera, and Fiorentino are all hurt). They probably don't want to call up CarGo until he's ready to be up for good, so they'll go to Davis until Buck is healthy.

Or at least that's my guess.

20. Colin Wyers Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:36 PM (#2756250)

That's because everyone knows that Bonds won't sign for league minimum, or anything close to it.

Maybe, but if you're a team that could use Bonds (the Rays and Mariners come to mind), it seems almost criminally negligent to just assume that and not at least ASK him. What's a phone call cost?

21. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:40 PM (#2756259)

it seems almost criminally negligent to just assume that and not at least ASK him.

Who says they haven't? Borris says that no team has made an offer, not that no team has expressed interest.

22. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:40 PM (#2756260)

Or that Bonds is demanding millions, while Thomas will likely cost the A's little more than pro-rated league minimum.

Many have stated that a big issue is Bonds’ demand of at least $10 million to play this year. I've had direct discussions with sources close to Bonds regarding the alleged $10 million minimum (required to sign him) and they have stated firmly that there have been no monetary demands, contract requirements or minimums to employ Barry this season.

Link

Best Regards

John

23. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:45 PM (#2756268)

...but you can't gripe about free agents not wanting to come to Toronto then treat them the way they've treated Koskie, Glaus and Thomas when they do...

I don't know how Glaus was mistreated? He quietly asked for a trade if it was possible, and months later the org found a trade/partner that worked for them so they wouldn't have to give him away to meet his request.

24. Justin Zeth, dog Posted: April 23, 2008 at 07:54 PM (#2756287)

There's no doubt in my mind at this point the owners have all agreed not to employ Barry Bonds any further, but you'd have a rough time proving it in court. There's really no way to prove the owners got together and all knowingly said to each other, "we all hereby agree that none of us will sign Barry Bonds", as opposed to owners simply being risk averse and no individual one of them wanting to draw scorn to himself by signing everyone's favorite persona non grata.

25. Random Transaction Generator Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:09 PM (#2756311)

1) I hope the Jays sign Bonds.

Paul Godfrey made it quite clear during a SportsNet interview that the Blue Jays had absolutely no intention of signing Barry Bonds.

26. Hello Rusty Kuntz, Goodbye Rusty Cars Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:32 PM (#2756361)

No team has made me an offer either.

27. MSI Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:33 PM (#2756364)

How long ago was that? Things change, like not having Thomas, having a slumping offense, having his perjury case delayed, ad infinitum.

Is the team's integrity too important for winning? (They already showed themselves ready to opportunistically make a quick buck, like in the selling of seats to opposing fans before home fans). If anything it would draw in more ticket sales.

28. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:34 PM (#2756367)

Paul Godfrey made it quite clear during a SportsNet interview that the Blue Jays had absolutely no intention of signing Barry Bonds.

Which is no surprise. I bet if desperation called for it, Ricciardi would in the very least be somewhat favourable of signing Bonds, but I bet Godfrey'd be absolutley against it regardless if it meant finishing out of the playoffs yet again.

29. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:45 PM (#2756401)

Bonds' collusion case is now airtight.

For what charges is Thomas under federal indictment?

30. Master of the small sample size Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:48 PM (#2756418)

If they're within five games back by mid-July, the Jays'll think about it. Very hard.

31. cardsfanboy Posted: April 23, 2008 at 08:57 PM (#2756444)

damn wrong thread again.

32. mikeA Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:33 PM (#2756560)

New story from Brown:

Frank Thomas was close to signing with the Oakland A’s on Wednesday until another team made an offer at the last minute, according to a baseball source. The second offer, from an undisclosed team, at least temporarily put the brakes on the A’s deal, which would reunite the aging slugger with the team he hit 39 home runs for in 2006.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AuZ7FaJ38BvmEM0PUaqRpbURvLYF?slug=ti-thomaswavering042308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

33. MSI Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:34 PM (#2756563)

Maybe its the Jays trying to snatch Thomas away from the A's.

34. cardsfanboy Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:43 PM (#2756604)

so who is the other team? Yankees? Angels? Mariners? White Sox(j/k), Twins? who needs a Dh (besides the blue jays)

35. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:48 PM (#2756627)

And when Bonds' reputation is rehabilitated to some degree as it inevitably will be -- by subsequent events, by nostalgia, by the cooling of passions, by proper appreciation of performance, by mass hallucination, by the success of Bonds on Bonds: The Musical, by whatever -- his 2008 blackballing will be the cherry on his sundae.

He could be DHing in the wilderness for the Mariners right now, or leading San Francisco to the Kingdom of 65 Wins, and he'd be a footnote. Instead, baseball has "shrewdly" drawn attention to He Who Must Not Be Signed.

You now have an unknowable "how much more might he have hit?" x-factor to counteract (and thus undercut) the "how much less should he have done?" steroid argument. It's lovely entertainment for the by-any-means-necessary contingent now. But there's nothing but time for that satisfaction to wane, as we watch Bonds' legacy rise by his having been forced out. MLB does it again!

36. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Seattle Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:50 PM (#2756635)

Mariners? Orioles? Rangers? Tigers (If Sheffield is really hurt)? Royals? Twins? Rays?

37. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: April 23, 2008 at 10:11 PM (#2756700)

Mariners? Orioles? Rangers? Tigers (If Sheffield is really hurt)? Royals? Twins? Rays?

Ham Fighters?

38. Ivan Grushenko of HK in Seattle Posted: April 23, 2008 at 10:51 PM (#2756772)

Don't they already have Termel Sledge?

39. MSI Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:12 PM (#2756821)

It's most undoubtedly the Mariners, giving an option year of 7 million.

40. BeanoCook Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:12 PM (#2756824)

so who is the other team? Yankees? Angels? Mariners? White Sox(j/k), Twins? who needs a Dh (besides the blue jays)

The Brewers. They need insurance against LHP. Seriously, 6-0 now vs LHP. T Lilly, J Sanchez, B Zito, J Santana, O Perez, C Hamels.

41. SkipK Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:28 PM (#2756874)

The Orioles may be it and are one team that certainly needs a power bat. I thought Tampa Bay until they got Gross and I think they want to stay young. I think the Twins will stick with Kubler, right? I would think it the M's.The Yanks need right handed pop obviously they have too many left handers that need dh ab's. Plus Frank doesn't want part time. Yanks have Shelley Duncan for that in the minors. Boy did Detroit ever blow it on Sheffield, trading those prospects plus paying $14mm for a headache and little production. And people thought JP overpaid Hurt! He didn't compared to Detroit and the A's paying Mike P. $8.5mm after Mike P. had 1/2 of Hurt's production in '06 and 8 hr's in '07. Decent interview with Hurt on Dan Patrick's SI show Monday.

42. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:42 PM (#2756931)

Decent interview with Hurt on Dan Patrick's SI show Monday.

Did he agree with everyone, and admit he's finished?

43. Justin Zeth, dog Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:56 PM (#2756985)

Dark horse possibility: The Yankees. As long as he's willing to play first base, or Matsui is. OK, I admit, I'm totally just wishing here. Can't I wish?

44. Dan Posted: April 23, 2008 at 11:59 PM (#2756995)

There is no way in hell Thomas can play the field at this point.

45. battlekow Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:05 AM (#2757005)

Beano, you'll learn that it's pretty hard to pull off a Brewers hijack around here.

46. Justin Zeth, dog Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:09 AM (#2757010)

Hey, they're willing to let Jason Giambi try his damnedest, aren't they?

47. SkipK Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:21 AM (#2757024)

Did he agree with everyone, and admit he's finished?

You mean Kenny 'Megalomaniac' Williams who said he done was after '05 and traded Aaron Rowland to get back less rbi's and clutch hits in '06? Or the people who said he was done after his April-May in '06 and '07? Knocking in 95 runs with Reed Johnson's .231, Lyle's .240 and Well's .245 hitting in front of him fairly often ain't bad.

You don't know he's done and I don't know he can still play.

Sad to want someone to fail...

48. ...and Toronto selects: Troy Tulowitzki Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:33 AM (#2757031)

Sad to want someone to fail...

Not saying that at all. I was joking. He was one of many Blue Jay hitters who were having an extremely poor April.

49. SkipK Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:59 AM (#2757034)

Sad to want someone to fail...

Not saying that at all. I was joking. He was one of many Blue Jay hitters who were having an extremely poor April.

My apologies...

If he gets a job, it will be interesting to see if he can once again rebound at this age and after this disruption in his mental and physical routine.

In 2006 after Bonds' 3 knee surgeries so many experts/scouts etc. said he was done and he did look terrible in the field and at bat.

But he really turned it on at age 42 and finished strong, so we can't count Hurt out either just yet.

50. Joey B. Posted: April 24, 2008 at 02:52 AM (#2757055)

1) I hope the Jays sign Bonds.

I wouldn't waste your time getting your hopes up, because it's just not going to happen. Team president Paul Godfrey made it clear on Tuesday that they have absolutely no intention of signing Bonds.

51. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: April 24, 2008 at 07:38 AM (#2757069)

For what charges is Thomas under federal indictment?

Fraudpoopery?

Or is that the other Chicago slugging fella that once gave wedgies to Mary Otti?

Best Regards

John

52. Rusty Priske Posted: April 24, 2008 at 08:20 AM (#2757079)

I can understand why people are saying that the Jays treated Thomas poorly... but how can you say that about Koskie and Glaus?

Because they were traded before their contracts expired? If that is the case then there are an awful lot of players 'treated poorly' by an awful lot of teams.

53. MSI Posted: April 24, 2008 at 09:17 AM (#2757115)

Paul Godfrey can go #### himself. Bonds to the Jays. You'll see.

54. villageidiom Posted: April 24, 2008 at 09:31 AM (#2757123)

Paul Godfrey can go #### himself. Bonds to the Jays. You'll see.

If he's indicted on federal charges, can he seek employment outside the USA?

EDIT: I genuinely don't know.

55. TerpNats Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:07 PM (#2757254)

If he's indicted on federal charges, can he seek employment outside the USA?

And could he then only play home games, remaining in Canada when the Jays hit the road? I could see it now -- Barry Bonds, the Jesse Winchester of baseball.

56. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM (#2757280)

I don't get how blacklisting Bonds would benefit MLB in any tangible way.

57. Alex Gordon's #1 Fan Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM (#2757296)

A's agree to terms with Frank Thomas

58. Justin Zeth, dog Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:41 PM (#2757300)

I don't get how blacklisting Bonds would benefit MLB in any tangible way.

It's personal. You didn't notice?

59. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:45 PM (#2757307)

The bad news: Buck to the DL, Chavvy to the 60 day DL. What the hell are they keeping MSweeney for? I think CarGon is going to be up soon.

60. Danny Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:52 PM (#2757319)

The bad news: Buck to the DL, Chavvy to the 60 day DL. What the hell are they keeping MSweeney for? I think CarGon is going to be up soon.

My guess:

vs RHP:
LF: Cust
CF: Sweeney
RF: Brown/Denorfia

vs LHP
LF: Davis
CF: Denorfia
RF: Brown

Thomas is the regular DH. Sweeney's released when Duchsherer comes back on Saturday.

My next best guess: The above, except Sweeney stays and spot starts for Thomas and Barton and PHs for the LHB OFers.

61. Gaelan Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:56 PM (#2757330)

I hope Thomas makes JP look foolish on this one. Because he came into a system loaded with talent, JP's Jays haven't looked as bad as they should. Rios, Doc, Wells and even McGowan were all inherited. I'm not huge on GMs kissing players' asses, but you can't gripe about free agents not wanting to come to Toronto then treat them the way they've treated Koskie, Glaus and Thomas when they do (Glaus wasn't a FA but did sign an extension after the trade). All else being equal, top-flight talent will opt to go somewhere else rather than deal with a whimsical GM who could turn them from franchise savior to pariah after a two week slump. JP made an enemy out of Delgado, and as a result failed to get even a draft pick for him. And Delgado was as big a fan of Toronto as anyone save Robbie Alomar.

I'm willing to say that JP has had his chance and it may be time to try someone new. That being said there isn't a single thing in the above post that is true. Irrational hate dressed up in argument by a fool. If I didn't know better I would think it is satire.

62. Danny Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:56 PM (#2757331)

On further thought, Sweeney's likely around until Buck comes back, and Davis plays the 2006 Antonio Perez role as Frank's late-inning legs.

63. Marmaduchscherer Posted: April 24, 2008 at 12:56 PM (#2757332)

Who's the backup firstbaseman now? Rob Bowen?

64. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:00 PM (#2757337)

On further thought, Sweeney's likely around until Buck comes back, and Davis plays the 2006 Antonio Perez role as Frank's late-inning legs.

I'd rather have Linden up than Davis, but Linden is getting squeezed by the 40 man roster crunch. Poor guy. I feel bad for Sweeney, too, but I'm sure he knows the A's didn't plan on Hurt falling into their laps. The offense is still a shambles, but...13-9! The A's are in it until they're out of it.

65. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:01 PM (#2757339)

Who's the backup firstbaseman now? Rob Bowen?

Sweeney for now. I'm sure Hannahan can play the position with Murphy playing third when he does. Dan Johnson is available, no? :)

66. Traderdave Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:02 PM (#2757340)

Is Thomas in the lineup today?

Cuz if he is, my Bloomberg will be switched off...

67. Danny Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:04 PM (#2757345)

Who's the backup firstbaseman now? Rob Bowen?

Who was it before? Sweeney played 1B a few times last season, Ellis played there a couple times in 2005, and Hannahan played some 1B in the minors.

68. mikeA Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2757346)

On further thought, Sweeney's likely around until Buck comes back, and Davis plays the 2006 Antonio Perez role as Frank's late-inning legs.

Will they stay with 11 pitchers when Duke comes back? Maybe... They can't possibly keep both Frank and Sweeney around for long.

69. Danny Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2757347)

Is Thomas in the lineup today?

Cuz if he is, my Bloomberg will be switched off...

Is that what the kids are calling it these days? :)

70. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:11 PM (#2757355)

It's personal. You didn't notice?

What, all thirty MLB owners bear a personal grudge against Barry Bonds?

71. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:15 PM (#2757360)

What, all thirty MLB owners bear a personal grudge against Barry Bonds?

Naw, just one used car salesman.

72. EddieA Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:16 PM (#2757361)

What, all thirty MLB owners bear a personal grudge against Barry Bonds?

Yes, that's their defense against collusion. They're not colluding if they all just don't like the man enough not to care whether he helps their team or not.

73. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:17 PM (#2757363)

Naw, just one used car salesman.

First, I don't see much evidence that Bud Selig cares about Barry Bonds one way or the other. Second, I don't see how he could convince otherwise interested owners not to sign him.

There are enough rational reasons not to want Barry Bonds on your team that you don't need a conspiracy theory.

74. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:18 PM (#2757364)

They're not colluding if they all just don't like the man enough not to care whether he helps their team or not.

I just don't see how it benefits anyone to collude against Barry Bonds.

75. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:22 PM (#2757369)

I just don't see how it benefits anyone to collude against Barry Bonds.

Really? You don't see how MLB doesn't want the poster boy for the steroids to be on Sportscenter every night?

76. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:24 PM (#2757371)

You don't see how MLB doesn't want the poster boy for the steroids to be on Sportscenter every night?

No, I don't. That's the headache of whatever team signs him, not of the sport as a whole.

77. Danny Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:26 PM (#2757374)

Baseball wants people to think that it's beyond the "Steroids Era" now that testing is around, and they see Bonds as a reminder of the past.

78. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:28 PM (#2757378)

First, I don't see much evidence that Bud Selig cares about Barry Bonds one way or the other.

I saw him beat himself in lamentation after HR No. 755. He was so distressed he stood there with an expression that resembled curdled milk while he attempted to blunt his distress with a hearty round of pocket pool ... like I said 'beat himself in lamentation.'

Best Regards

John

79. The Jerry Royster Experience Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:29 PM (#2757380)

Baseball wants people to think that it's beyond the "Steroids Era" now that testing is around, and they see Bonds as a reminder of the past.

If that's the case, why did they wait until now? Why didn't they do this before he broke the home run record and he really was on Sportscenter every night? Why would they wait until AFTER he was no longer in the national spotlight?

Bonds is a walking PR nightmare, but he is for every team individually. If I were an owner, I wouldn't want him on my team, either. Whatever value he provides on the field wouldn't be worth listening to the complaining fans and local sportswriters. I wouldn't need a call from Bud Selig to convince me of that.

80. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:29 PM (#2757381)

No, I don't. That's the headache of whatever team signs him, not of the sport as a whole.

Grandstanding politicians and congressional oversight is a problem for the sport as a whole. There's nothing like the attention Bonds generates to get a politician thinking about some free national face time.

81. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:31 PM (#2757384)

If that's the case, why did they wait until now? Why didn't they do this before he broke the home run record and he really was on Sportscenter every night? Why would they wait until AFTER he was no longer in the national spotlight?

Because Giants fans would have rioted? Because how could they justify it? At least now the federal indictment gives them an excuse.

82. Lake Placido Polanco (Crispix Attacks) Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:31 PM (#2757385)

No, I don't. That's the headache of whatever team signs him, not of the sport as a whole.

However, the sport as a whole is made up of teams. That is to say, if something is a team, it is part of the sport.

83. Brandon in MO (for America!) Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:38 PM (#2757391)

Hey Oakland, we're not getting much in the way of hitting from our first baseman.

So if you want to release Mike Sweeney so he can come home to Kansas City, feel free.

Although it is sad that Sweeney may not last a month in Oakland. I'm in more of the pro-Sweeney camp of the Royals Nation. I think he was a pretty good hitter, and still better than Ross Gload. The catch is the whole "playing first without hurting himself" thing.

Granted, putting Sweeney at DH and Butler at 1st couldn't be that bad of an idea.

Sweeney would fit on the Mariners right now.

84. Shooty misses Bill King Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:44 PM (#2757399)

Sweeney would fit on the Mariners right now.

Nope. Bloomquist will do it all!

85. Brandon in MO (for America!) Posted: April 24, 2008 at 01:53 PM (#2757415)

Making Vidro the DH sorta defeats the purpose of having a DH, right?

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