Could Barry Bonds become a Toronto Blue Jay this summer? That’s the hope of many fans of the Toronto Blue Jays in the wake of the Blue Jays release of Frank Thomas this morning.
After being benched by manager John “Boomhauer” Gibbons 
prior to Saturday afternoon’s tilt against the Tigers (won by Toronto 3-2), Frank The Tank was livid with Blue Jays management claiming that Jays management (specifically J.P. Riccardi) was trying to limit his number of AB’s this season so that a guaranteed $10 million dollar option for the 2009 season could not kick in.
Essentially if Thomas was able to obtain 376 plate appearances this season (or play about 90-100 games) the Blue Jays would be forced to keep him on the books for another year at $10 million.
Thomas was struggling early this season (aside from a 2 HR, 8 RBI 3 game performance against Boston) and the feeling is that Jays management would prefer to see Matt Stairs DH more often while allowing for the call-up of Adam Lind from Syracuse to play Left field (platooning with Shannon Stewart and sometimes Stairs).
While this is probably not a bad idea, it’s also pretty obvious that the Jays were not interested in paying Thomas $10 million next season to be their DH. I also get the feeling that there must also be some history of bad blood here as from all indications Frank Thomas is an easy going guy. With the run-ins that Blue Jays management have had in the past with players (Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly to name a few) I wouldn’t be surprised if this was just the final straw.
So what to do now?
Well let me state that I’m not a fan of Barry Bonds as a person. I think he’s a cheat and a liar and all that bad stuff we hear he is supposed to be.
But, I am a fan of his ability to get on base and to hit the long ball. I think he would be a significant improvement over a player such as Frank Thomas if only for the remainder of this season.
With the offense currently constructed in its present form, this team can’t contend. Additions of Barry Bonds (and eventually Scott Rolen) could significantly improve the offense when you compare those players to Thomas and Marco Scutaro.
I just get the feeling after being shut down by Texas, Oakland and now even a supposedly weak Detroit Tigers pitching staff that this offense just needs some work. I think Barry Bonds could help.
I’m not asking Barry to come to Toronto and sign autographs and visit hospitals. I’m asking Barry to come here to Toronto and drive in runners or get on base and be driven in. I’m asking him to not be way behind on fastballs and strike out easily after looking at 5 straight 93 MPH fastballs from Vincente Padilla.
So J.P., so far this season you’ve given away a gritty outfielder (Reed Johnson) and a DH with some pop when he actually makes contact (Thomas) for absolutely nothing. In fact you’re eating salary.
So why not bring in Barry Bonds for the rest of the season. Say maybe 7-9 million for the rest of the season. Sure bring up Adam Lind too if you must to get some seasoning before he becomes our everyday LF in 2009. But in the meantime, with this pitching staff, this is a playoff team with just a little more offense.
It’s a no-lose situation J.P.
If you bring in Barry and he flourishes you look like a genius (even if you’re not). If he fails, so what. Most people would expect that.
What do you think? Should the Jays take a flyer on Barry Bonds for the rest of the season?
13 Comments
April 20, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I would have to say no. I have read what Barry does to a clubhouse. He is not a team player and the Jays need that this year. They have a great team that has seemingly got little attention. I feel they have a chance to be a real contender in the competitive AL East. In my opinion, Barry would turn the team gel into jelly. He does not seem to want to be a part of a team, only his own legacy. I say give Lind a shot. He is a young guy with a future and would embrace the vets not piss them off.
April 20, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Nah, forget Bonds. It is unfortunate that the Mother of all MLB records is in the hands of an obvious cheater. But what can we do? MLB needs to start blacklisting steroid users just like they did with certain gamblers if they want to stay consistent in their judgments.
April 20, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Sign away!!! Bonds will hit 30+ hrs this season as a DH.
April 20, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Yes, he can do a lot of damage off the field and in the clubhouse, but I think the damage he does on the field (to the opposing team) outweighs that. If you can, sign ‘em.
April 20, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I still don’t get why Thomas was released.
April 20, 2008 at 10:07 pm
I havta agree, I’m not a Bonds fan whatsoever but if he can help this team take that next step (which I think he can) the Jays would be wise to sign him. They’re not a playoff team right now but with Bonds would have a great chance to get in. Plus, he’ll put fans in the seat and as long as he is producing will become a fan favourite, guaranteed.
April 21, 2008 at 9:43 am
hell yea bonds should be on the blue jays cause of his power and they released Thomas barry can make a big impact and its a bigger feel in the A.L get bonds blue jays you need power and you’re team will become a world series team
April 21, 2008 at 10:08 am
Sign Em. He will fill the stands not to mention produce. He put up same numbers as Thomas last year but Thomas needed 200 more at bats to do it, also only hit 29 homeruns in 175 games as a bluejay. Bonds will hit at least that in 125 Games. Foolish not to sign they want a woldseries this is there chance.
April 21, 2008 at 11:18 am
we could be the patriots to bonds’ moss. would bonds even be allowed to leave the country? hasn’t he been indicted on perjury charges?
April 21, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Oh Canada! Shipping Barry Bonds out of the country may be the only answer!
http://barrybondstrial.blogspot.com/
April 21, 2008 at 7:12 pm
[...] know, the Jays may have already signed Barry Bonds by the time I finish writing this post; at least one blogger thinks it can be a good idea. Signing Bonds may end up being, as another blogger said, the circus coming to Toronto, but that, [...]
April 24, 2008 at 10:27 am
kurtis,
honestly………i think that there is only ONE solution to this problem… .
the Jays need to sign Brian Taylor!
am i wrong?
April 24, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Damn straight Tony Batten!
As a man who went home with a sore neck from quickly turning around to watch Brian Taylor hit multiple bombs off of him in his career I can attest to the power of Mr. Taylor.