It's official. Barry's back.
But the Giants have clearly hedged their bets on Barry making it through the season without a problem. His new contract, as reported by MLB.com and the San Francisco Chronicle, contains a clause that allows them to terminate his contract should he be indicted.
Bonds also won't be able to have his two trainers in the locker room, though in an interview on KNBR, he said they will get together outside the park. He's also said he won't have the big locker room setup as before.
Clearly, this is not the Barry that the Giants have coddled in the past. The Giants know that their $16 mil investment could disappear in an indictment, leaving them without their biggest bat and their left fielder.
Now that Barry's on board, let's assume for a moment that he is fully healthy. What's the likelihood he'll break the Aaron home run record?
In our minds, it'll be slim. For one, who's to say, given his spotty hitting last year, he'll be able to get the home runs he needs. For that matter, who's gonna pitch to him knowing the record's on the line?
The Giants took a big risk, both financially and otherwise, to bring Barry back. They obviously thought that $16 mil to be a sound investment.
We think that by the end of the season, the Giants will look back on this decision and wonder what they were thinking.
You tell us .... was it a good decision to bring Bonds back?
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
It's not too late...
The re-signing of Barry Bonds appears to be closer, according to the SF Giants website. Bonds was in San Francisco Monday for a physical.
Still, until the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted, there's no deal.
Will he pass the physical? Can he pass the physical?
For a guy his age (42) with the physical problems he's experienced the last two seasons, it would appear to be a split decision. For the Giants to sign him again, he'd have to be back close to prime condition.
Chances of that? We'd say unlikely.
But Barry has surprised us before. Maybe he is.
For the Giants' sake, let's hope so ... if the signing is to go forward.
If not, let's put him behind us quickly and move ahead into the season.
Update: The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Bonds' contract, pending his passing the physical, will keep Barry's entourage out of the clubhouse. So no personal trainers, no guys to help with the stretching. In fact, he won't have the multiple lockers he's had before. For $16 mil, though, he can buy a locker room.
Still, until the t's are crossed and the i's are dotted, there's no deal.
Will he pass the physical? Can he pass the physical?
For a guy his age (42) with the physical problems he's experienced the last two seasons, it would appear to be a split decision. For the Giants to sign him again, he'd have to be back close to prime condition.
Chances of that? We'd say unlikely.
But Barry has surprised us before. Maybe he is.
For the Giants' sake, let's hope so ... if the signing is to go forward.
If not, let's put him behind us quickly and move ahead into the season.
Update: The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Bonds' contract, pending his passing the physical, will keep Barry's entourage out of the clubhouse. So no personal trainers, no guys to help with the stretching. In fact, he won't have the multiple lockers he's had before. For $16 mil, though, he can buy a locker room.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Bonding With Barry (continued)
The talks go on.
We're speaking of the talks, that is, to bring Barry Bonds back to the Giants fold for 2007. We've previously said we wouldn't be sad if they didn't sign him. That hasn't changed. Here's the latest Chronicle story.
What's interesting, though, is that the Giants haven't rushed into firming up Bonds's contract. Why? Could it be the results of the amphetamine test they weren't supposed to know about?
We heard brief portions of the interview with Giants G.M. Brian Sabean Saturday from the Giants' Fan Fest. Sabean played it very coy and wasn't very revealing.
Maybe the whole Mark Sweeney episode -- in which Barry supposedly fingered Sweeney as the source of the amphetamines found in his locker -- has finally made them see the light.
Certainly, none of the press will be sorry to see Barry go. Many of our former colleagues in the media have unequivocally said Barry Bonds was insufferable to deal with when they were covering the Giants.
Spring training's right around the corner. There isn't much time left.
Do you agree or disagree. Add your opinions at the link below.
We're speaking of the talks, that is, to bring Barry Bonds back to the Giants fold for 2007. We've previously said we wouldn't be sad if they didn't sign him. That hasn't changed. Here's the latest Chronicle story.
What's interesting, though, is that the Giants haven't rushed into firming up Bonds's contract. Why? Could it be the results of the amphetamine test they weren't supposed to know about?
We heard brief portions of the interview with Giants G.M. Brian Sabean Saturday from the Giants' Fan Fest. Sabean played it very coy and wasn't very revealing.
Maybe the whole Mark Sweeney episode -- in which Barry supposedly fingered Sweeney as the source of the amphetamines found in his locker -- has finally made them see the light.
Certainly, none of the press will be sorry to see Barry go. Many of our former colleagues in the media have unequivocally said Barry Bonds was insufferable to deal with when they were covering the Giants.
Spring training's right around the corner. There isn't much time left.
Do you agree or disagree. Add your opinions at the link below.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Take a walk, Giants
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting here that the Giants may walk away from the deal to resign Barry Bonds that was announced last month after concern about the revelation that he failed a test for amphetamines. Murray Chass of the New York Times reported the Giants' concerns about Barry a day earlier.
To quote the Times story,
We hope so. With the latest revelations, the Giants may have finally realized what everyone else did long ago: Barry Bonds carries a huge anchor of problems with him and is really nothing more than a huge pain in the ass. But with only a relatively short time (four weeks) before the beginning of spring training, this problem puts the Giants in a sticky spot. Do they sign and the contract and get 'er done? Or just walk away.
We say walk away. As the season progresses, if any new complications develop -- more seamy stories, more accusations, more failed tests, even -- the media circus that traveled with the Giants last year will return, probably more intense than before. That's not something the Giants would relish, even with Barry in the clubhouse.
The Giants can't replace Barry's bat, but who says Barry's bat will be all that spectacular to begin with at his advanced age. Who says he won't get injured again?
As we've said before, the risks are too huge to pin this season on Bonds. Don't ruin Barry Zito's first season with the Giants by letting the other Barry overshadow him. Walk, don't run, from that contract. NOW!
Do you agree or disagree? Add your comments.
To quote the Times story,
A lawyer on the Bonds side said yesterday that they suspect the Giants, reacting to negative news media views in the Bay Area, are exploring ways of getting out of the contract. When an official on the management side with knowledge of the talks was asked yesterday if the deal could blow up, he said, “It’s possible.”
We hope so. With the latest revelations, the Giants may have finally realized what everyone else did long ago: Barry Bonds carries a huge anchor of problems with him and is really nothing more than a huge pain in the ass. But with only a relatively short time (four weeks) before the beginning of spring training, this problem puts the Giants in a sticky spot. Do they sign and the contract and get 'er done? Or just walk away.
We say walk away. As the season progresses, if any new complications develop -- more seamy stories, more accusations, more failed tests, even -- the media circus that traveled with the Giants last year will return, probably more intense than before. That's not something the Giants would relish, even with Barry in the clubhouse.
The Giants can't replace Barry's bat, but who says Barry's bat will be all that spectacular to begin with at his advanced age. Who says he won't get injured again?
As we've said before, the risks are too huge to pin this season on Bonds. Don't ruin Barry Zito's first season with the Giants by letting the other Barry overshadow him. Walk, don't run, from that contract. NOW!
Do you agree or disagree? Add your comments.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Baseball's been Barry Barry good to me
Talk about shocks to the system! When my friend emailed me that word was the San Francisco Giants were getting Barry Zito, I almost fell out of my chair. The cheap-ass Giants who have been living off of older players for what seems like decades going for a young, vital player? And a pitcher, no less? Peter Magowan, did you make a wrong turn at the light? What the hell's going on?
Turns out it's true. Barry Zito, the almost-Ranger, almost-Met and former Oakland A (sorry, A's fans, your colors still suck) is now officially a Giant. Maybe he got tired of playing in Al Davis Park. Maybe he got tired of those coulda, shoulda tries at the playoffs in Oaktown. Beat those stupid drums all you want, A's fans. He's ours now.
And is this a good thing? Yes. For several reasons. For one, it shows the Giants are looking beyond that other Barry. That was very much a concern. After all, the other Barry (Bonds, if you need to be reminded) turns 43 on July 24. Not exactly a spring chicken. And he hasn't been playing like one the last two seasons, which have been full of surgeries and cautious play in the field, not to mention the steroid stories centered around him.
In previous blogs, we've written that we hoped the Giants wouldn't resign Bonds. We're still not comfortable with the new commitment the Giants made, especially a $16 million (way too high priced) contract. A lot of promising young players can be had for $16 million.
Getting Zito doesn't straighten out all the Giants problems, but, as we said, it shows the Giants are looking beyond Bonds. They need to. As it is, the millstones around Bonds' neck regarding the steroid accusations could be a weight on the entire team this year. And as of this writing, the Giants, despite having announced an agreement with Bonds a couple of weeks ago, are still working out the language of the contract, which indicates the two sides are tussling over how Barry will conduct himself this year -- whether he'll be available for all games, for example. (Surprising what perks a star player like Bonds can work for himself.)
Barry Zito, however, is the Barry to watch this year, though. Zito's wicked curve will hopefully confound NL (especially NL West) opponents and put a charge in Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and the rest of the Giants pitching staff (assuming, of course, one of them doesn't get traded).
Zito's coming aboard also shows a renewed commitment to winning by the Giants organization. That lack of commitment was one of the reasons we didn't feel bad about dropping our season tickets after 2005. And it's a nice pick-me-up for the fans who went for the ring the Giants held out last season to get them to buy season tickets after the All-Star Game was announced for AT&T (SBC, Pac Bell) Park. Even with the older guys in the lineup, this will be interesting.
So all looks well. This situation brings to mind a previous marketing slogan: Humm baby, it's gonna be fun.
At the same time, it also gives an extended finger salute to one Jason Schmidt. Blue this!
Turns out it's true. Barry Zito, the almost-Ranger, almost-Met and former Oakland A (sorry, A's fans, your colors still suck) is now officially a Giant. Maybe he got tired of playing in Al Davis Park. Maybe he got tired of those coulda, shoulda tries at the playoffs in Oaktown. Beat those stupid drums all you want, A's fans. He's ours now.
And is this a good thing? Yes. For several reasons. For one, it shows the Giants are looking beyond that other Barry. That was very much a concern. After all, the other Barry (Bonds, if you need to be reminded) turns 43 on July 24. Not exactly a spring chicken. And he hasn't been playing like one the last two seasons, which have been full of surgeries and cautious play in the field, not to mention the steroid stories centered around him.
In previous blogs, we've written that we hoped the Giants wouldn't resign Bonds. We're still not comfortable with the new commitment the Giants made, especially a $16 million (way too high priced) contract. A lot of promising young players can be had for $16 million.
Getting Zito doesn't straighten out all the Giants problems, but, as we said, it shows the Giants are looking beyond Bonds. They need to. As it is, the millstones around Bonds' neck regarding the steroid accusations could be a weight on the entire team this year. And as of this writing, the Giants, despite having announced an agreement with Bonds a couple of weeks ago, are still working out the language of the contract, which indicates the two sides are tussling over how Barry will conduct himself this year -- whether he'll be available for all games, for example. (Surprising what perks a star player like Bonds can work for himself.)
Barry Zito, however, is the Barry to watch this year, though. Zito's wicked curve will hopefully confound NL (especially NL West) opponents and put a charge in Matt Cain, Noah Lowry and the rest of the Giants pitching staff (assuming, of course, one of them doesn't get traded).
Zito's coming aboard also shows a renewed commitment to winning by the Giants organization. That lack of commitment was one of the reasons we didn't feel bad about dropping our season tickets after 2005. And it's a nice pick-me-up for the fans who went for the ring the Giants held out last season to get them to buy season tickets after the All-Star Game was announced for AT&T (SBC, Pac Bell) Park. Even with the older guys in the lineup, this will be interesting.
So all looks well. This situation brings to mind a previous marketing slogan: Humm baby, it's gonna be fun.
At the same time, it also gives an extended finger salute to one Jason Schmidt. Blue this!
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