Would I want Barry Bonds playing for free on the Oakland Athletics?
Haha, honestly? No, not a chance.
Why? What would he add to the A's team? Currently we have three players on the roster, counting guys on the DL, who would be best played in the DH slot. Frank Thomas is strictly DH and you have to believe that he will be the everyday starter when he returns. That is tentatively scheduled to happen at the end of this month. He still has solid power and average (.319 AVG and .933 SLG since joining the A's). Mike Sweeney is a DH who can play 1B is needed. He actually did pretty well there defensively when Daric Barton needed a break. He also was hitting for good average before he went on the DL and still has decent pop in his bat. Both Thomas and Sweeney are righties. Then you also have to throw Jack Cust's name into the mix. He has been playing LF most of the year, but his defense could be better and ideally you would like to see him at DH where he was almost all of last season. He may only hit .250 (he should end up around there at the end of the season) but he will give you a .400 OBP and .500 SLG as well. He is a lefty and I really don't see much difference between him and Bonds. In the past Bonds has said he would never want to play DH. His legs give him absolutely no range in the OF. I would not want to see him out there for the A's. On top of that, don't we already have enough lefties on the team? Really, we are already crowded when it comes to lefties and DHs so I can't see any space for him on the roster or anything he would add on the field.
On top of this, the A's clubhouse has VERY good chemistry right now. There are no problems, there is no drama, and everyone gets along well. Bringing in Bonds creates a media frenzy and puts a lot of stress on that clubhouse chemistry, whether it is created by Bonds and his personality or just the media frenzy doesn't matter. The fact is that the stress will be there. The A's clubhouse is very young and that is not something that I would want to see any of them going through. Veteran leadership? Shoot, Mike Sweeney has 10 times the character and leadership ability the Bonds has. He is a straight up class act. Bonds gave pointers to young Giants hitters? And Mike Sweeney can't? Of course, neither can Frank Thomas. And while we're at it, Eric Chavez is a good veteran leader as well. So id Mark Ellis. I think there are enough guys there that Bonds wouldn't add anything in that category either.
Basically I see absolutely no need in any way for Bonds on this team.
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