Tuesday, June 19, 2007

THE TRADING OF BARRY BONDS

With the baseball season creeping up on the midway point, teams in contention often turn their attention toward adding that final piece to the puzzle to win the World Series. One of those players that teams in contention might seriously consider is San Francisco Giant outfielder Barry Bonds. Bonds is hitting around .300 with 14 home runs, which would be a great boost to any team in need of power. Bonds no longer is a defensive dynamo, so look for American League teams to be the main teams in pursuit, since they can keep him as a DH. Giants GM Brian Sabean was quoted in the San Jose Mercury News, "I don't know if there is [a chance], because of all the factors involved," Sabean told the newspaper. "And it wouldn't be my decision unilaterally. So it's a complicated question and it's not a simple answer."

Would San Fran really trade the face of their organization after 14 great, and turbulent, seasons? San Fran is the only city where Bonds is still cheered, so why would Bonds waive his no trade clause to go to a town where he has most likely been booed? Well because Bonds knows as well as anyone, how easily fans flip flop on players, once they join their squad. You think Yankees fans ever could have seen themselves rooting for Johnny Damon when he was sending them packing in the playoffs while with the Red Sox? No chance, and that is what Bonds would have to believe as well. No matter what happens with the steroid issue, he will undoubtedly go down as one of the better hitters of all time. It was not long ago that he was one of the best fielders as well, but age and injuries have depleted him of that legacy. This is why Bonds has to seriously look at a move to an American League team.

Bonds would be able to cement his legacy as a hitter, let fans forget his terrible play in the outfield, and still chase the championship that has eluded him his whole career. Bonds has no chance to collect a ring in San Fran, which is the main driving force for him to agree to a trade. All this being said, it is difficult for me to see San Fran trading Bonds away, at least until he breaks Hank Aaron's home run record. There has been so much hoopla about this record going down, and the Giants are tied to this. It would be too strange to see Bonds hitting all those homers for San Fran throughout the years and then break the record as a member of the Cleveland Giants. Just too much for anyone involved to deal with. So as Bonds put it so eloquently, "I'm stuck here."

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