Rosenthal’s Latest: Bonds, Nathan, Barrett
Ken Rosenthal has a new rumor column up. Feels like it’s been a while.
- Rosenthal thinks it’s a sign of desperation that the Angels would entertain signing Barry Bonds, who doesn’t fit in with their club. His OBP would fit in anywhere, but he would tie up the DH spot at the expense of Juan Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero.
- The Cubs are expected to bring Daryle Ward back at $1.2MM (makes sense) and Steve Trachsel at $4.75MM (questionable). Cubs fans can only hope Trachsel would be considered a tradeable asset, as Rosenthal opines. Rosenthal also quashes the idea of trading Aramis Ramirez, both because of his full no-trade clause and the team’s impending sale.
- David Eckstein is expected to leave the Cardinals, no big surprise. Rosenthal reiterates recent rumors connecting him to the White Sox, Tigers, and Mets.
- Rosenthal’s idea for Bill Smith and the Twins: keep Johan Santana this winter, and instead trade the $6MM super-closer Joe Nathan. Teams would line up for him, and Pat Neshek wouldn’t be a bad replacement.
- Do you think Michael Barrett could be a free agent bargain? Rosenthal talked to one exec who feels this way, and it is a good point if he can bounce back to .280/.350/.480 for five million bucks.
Cross Seattle Off The List For Bonds
Recently, we crossed the Rangers and Tigers off the list of suitors for Barry Bonds. It might be time to add Seattle to the "No Bonds" list. According to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, "those in a position to know" have said the Ms won’t bid for him.
If Bonds is to land in the American League, there are still approximately six options that haven’t been ruled out (Orioles, Devil Rays, Royals, Twins, Angels, A’s).
Marion Jones already admitted lying to federal investigators; the grand jury will go after Bonds next. Prison time could definitely cut short or eliminate his 2008 season.
Rangers To Pass On Bonds?
Here’s an MLB.com article from T.R. Sullivan that I’m just getting around to discussing (hat tip to Joe Siegler of Rangerfans.com).
Sullivan’s article mainly discusses the possibility of bringing Sammy Sosa back as a platoon designated hitter. Not a terrible idea if Sosa is limited to facing southpaws and perhaps Jose Lima. But here’s an interesting throwaway line in the article:
Club officials have made it clear they will not be interested in pursuing Barry Bonds as a free agent.
You may recall that the Rangers got some press in June as the "mystery team" that had pursued Bonds the previous winter. Jon Daniels confirmed the discussions but said no offer was made. In browsing that USA Today article again, I also noticed that Bonds apparently would’ve retired if he didn’t receive an offer of at least $10MM. So that might be his bare minimum this winter.
So far the Rangers and Tigers have already distanced themselves from Bonds.
Leyland: No Barry For Tigers
Jim Leyland said it as plainly as he could:
Barry Bonds will not be a Detroit Tiger next year. End all speculation: He will not be a Detroit Tiger.
This isn’t huge news – as I mentioned earlier, the Tigers are paying Gary Sheffield $14MM to DH next year. They can’t add another expensive fielding liability. Now this Twins idea…very interesting. I’m glad Minnesota hasn’t ruled it out yet.
Rumors and Questions
If Cubs make the playoffs, they will be glad not to see the Marlins in the postseason. After last night’s defeat, the Cubs haven’t beaten the Fish since April… of 2006.
Lots of buzz today, so here are some Rumors and Questions on the day:
- Florida Marlins Fans, it may be disheartening for you, both of you, to know that David Hyde (with some help from Bill Murray) believes as though either Miguel Cabrera or Dontrelle Willis will indeed be dealt this offseason. Tim crunched the numbers and thinks they should shed Willis’ contract. If I had to choose, I’d agree with Mr. Hyde (not Dr. Jekyll) and wave goodbye to Miggy before the D-Train rolls out. Cabrera is indisputably elite and could net a Hanley Ramirez or two. Meanwhile, Dontrelle’s value is at an all time low. Who would you deal?
- Speaking of former Marlins, Buster Olney thinks the Tigers will re-sign Todd Jones. When asked who will close for the Tigers next year, Manager Jim Leyland responded with a definitive "don’t know". Well, maybe he’s getting forgetful in his old age, but we all know who: Joel Zumaya. But is he ready? Chris McKosky of the Detroit News isn’t sure. What do you think? If only he could lay off that Guitar Hero…
- The Rangers and the Twins have each expressed interest in both Torii Hunter and, who else, Barry Bonds. Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire weighs in positively on Bonds, while Joe Christensen says chances are slim but don’t rule it out. Shooter Charley Walters says the Twins will try to re-sign Hunter. But Hunter is from outside Arlington, Texas and when asked if he’s thought a little about going home, he told reporters "I haven’t thought about it a little bit. I’ve thought about it a lot a bit." Meanwhile, the Rangers players say "Thumbs up!" to Bonds. I think the Rangers are a natural fit for both of these vets.
- Also, Ken Rosenthal’s latest video on Foxsports.com breaks down the fates of Managers-Across-The-League. Interestingly, he begins by praising Joe Torre for doing maybe his best job ever, and then notes how if the Yankees stumble in the postseason he might not be back…
Posted by: Nat Boyle
Cubs a Good Fit for Barry’s Bat
Tim mentioned in this post that fielding know-it-all John Dewan thinks Barry Bonds can still play a tolerable outfield. Well, Bob Nightengale has broken the rumor-ice and brought two NL teams into the "Where Will Bonds Play Next" game:
Chicago and Florida.
The Cubbies, heavy in right handed hitters, would love a bat like Bonds’ in the lineup. They probably have the money, though they’ll add $10MM in payroll for ’08 just to maintain the current group. With Bonds’ regular need for time off, there’d still be plenty of playing time for Matt Murton.
Bonds, meanwhile, just may be the apple of Jeffrey Loria’s eye. The Florida Marlins owner was fined by the commissioners office last year for flying Bonds to New York in his personal jet. But if the Fish deal Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, it’d be hard to convince Bonds that they’re a serious contender.
Could Bonds Join Royals, Devil Rays?
Barry Bonds has a stated desire to win a World Series before his finishes his career. That doesn’t gel with the idea of joining a last-place team like the Royals or Devil Rays. However, he may have to decide between non-contenders and retirement.
Last week when the Giants told Bonds he wasn’t welcome in 2008, I analyzed the situations of the 14 American League teams’ DH spots. The Orioles, Royals, Angels, A’s and Rangers seemed the most likely fits. I didn’t like the D-Rays for Bonds because they’ve already got all three outfield spots filled and have to find playing time for Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli at DH.
However, Buster Olney is intrigued by the idea of Bonds in Tampa Bay. In Olney’s view, Bonds would basically split time at DH with Baldelli, pushing Gomes out of the starting picture (perhaps he’d be traded). That’s reasonable if the price is right. But keep in mind John Shea’s note, that Bonds wouldn’t have gone to St. Petersburg had the Giants moved there in 1993. Beggars can’t be choosy though.
Bob Dutton also wrote about the possibility of Bonds joining the Royals next year. Dutton says the Royals have $30MM coming off the books. Billy Butler could play maybe 120 games at first base and 40 at DH in ’08. The heart of this order could put up some runs, though you’d like to see some kind of offense coming out of left field or shortstop:
David DeJesus – CF
Mark Grudzielanek – 2B
Barry Bonds – DH
Billy Butler – 1B
Alex Gordon – 3B
Mark Teahen – RF
John Buck – C
Joey Gathright – LF
Tony Pena Jr. – SS
More On Bonds
All the sportswriters have had a chance to weigh in on possible destinations for Barry Bonds in 2008. Here’s a summary.
- Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus seems the Padres and A’s as the top two possibilities.
- Fielding guru John Dewan rates Bonds’ defense ahead of Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham, and Pat Burrell this year. He’s still bad, but maybe we shouldn’t rule out the NL after all.
- Bruce Jenkins says there’s no market but seems to consider Seattle a possibility. Interesting note: Jenkins also mentions that Bonds cleared waivers in August.
- Jack Curry of the New York Times likes the Angels, A’s, and Rangers.
- Before we start penciling Bonds into the Oakland lineup, Susan Slusser reminds us that Jack Cust is effective and cheap as the team’s DH.
- Rangers manager Ron Washington says he would’ve liked having Bonds on his team this year. However, he sees the A’s as the favorite.
- Kevin Kernan of the New York Post thinks this puts the Giants in the A-Rod sweepstakes. Would Rodriguez want to join a team that is basically rebuilding?
Giants Won’t Sign Bonds In ’08
Barry Bonds has been told by the Giants that they will not be offering him a contract for the 2008 season. The team is holding a press conference, but Barry beat them to the punch on his website. He’s a tad perturbed that the team didn’t inform him of this decision earlier.
Bonds’ last paragraph:
I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you, but there is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career. My quest for a World Series ring continues.
So he’s coming back in ’08. This is shaping up to be an exciting offseason.
Let’s assume Barry moves to the AL to serve as a DH (not a lock, but for the purposes of this post). Here’s a run-down of the 14 American League teams.
- Orioles: They could probably make room at DH, with Aubrey Huff, Jay Gibbons, Kevin Millar, and Miguel Tejada splitting time there this year. But the O’s probably want to distance themselves from the steroid stink and may trade Tejada. Nick Cafardo said in August that there is some support for Bonds in the organization, but the O’s want to get younger. More specifically, in December John Shea said Jim Duquette liked the idea of pairing Bonds with Tejada.
- Red Sox: I don’t see Big Papi moving to first, and you’d damage the defense by always having two of Bonds, Ramirez, and Ortiz on the field on a given night.
- Yankees: This year, the DH spot has been shared by Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, and Hideki Matsui for the most part. With older guys on the roster, you’d rather have the spot free to use to rest people. Damon could be moved, but Giambi will be making $21MM and you’d rather not see him at first base.
- Devil Rays: John Shea says Bonds wouldn’t have gone to St. Petersburg had the Giants moved there in ’93, implying he dislikes the area so much that this can’t happen. I like the Rays as a dark horse but they are going to need the DH spot if they’ve got Crawford, Upton, and Young set in the outfield. Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli still need to play.
- Blue Jays: They’re paying Frank Thomas $8MM to DH.
- White Sox: With Thome and Konerko locked in, there’s just no room.
- Indians: Mark Shapiro wasn’t in on him last year, and his DH spot is occupied by Travis Hafner. I don’t see it.
- Tigers: Sheff’s making $14MM next year to DH.
- Royals: If they’re truly committed to using Billy Butler at first base next year, they could have room. This is not the craziest idea in the world, but wouldn’t gel with Bonds’ World Series goal.
- Twins: Received a woeful .267/.341/.384 line from the DH spot this year among many players. Bonds would help the Twins, but they still don’t seem a likely fit for each other. Plus, Bonds would cost upwards of $10MM.
- Angels: You’d rather not take the DH possibility away from Vlad, who’s used it for 36 games this year. But Bonds could take the field 30 times without killing himself or the team. I like the match – West Coast, the money is there, the need is there, the risk is limited. A healthy Juan Rivera could cause a jam though.
- Athletics: The A’s seemed open to Bonds last winter, but the main concern was price. This is a distinct possibility if Bonds comes down to the $10-12MM range.
- Mariners: He’d help the offense for sure. But Jose Vidro and Raul Ibanez are both under contract for ’08. Vidro can only play the field a couple of times a week and you’d rather not see Ibanez out there. To put them both on the field at the same time would be especially ugly. Even if Jose Guillen departs I don’t see it.
- Rangers: Bonds was supposedly close to signing with a "mystery team" last winter, and that was later identified as the Rangers. Sammy Sosa actually hit decently as the DH this year (.272/.322/.492). Ron Washington and Sammy both want the relationship to continue. Still, Sammy might accept a part-time role. It would be interesting to see Bonds and Sosa as teammates, that’s for sure. Not out of the question.
Nate Silver places odds for Bonds signing with each of the 30 MLB teams. He favors the Padres, though Ken Rosenthal recently said Bonds in the NL looks like a longshot.
Bonds For Cust?
Scott Ostler has a suggestion in today’s San Francisco Chronicle: some kind of Barry Bonds for Jack Cust trade. How would this work, with Bonds becoming a free agent after the season? Cust, meanwhile, is under Oakland’s control for another five seasons or so.
Cust has easily been the Athletics’ most valuable hitter this year, despite spending April in the minors. Bonds’ season currently ranks 16th among all hitters for VORP even in only 458 plate appearances.
The Giants have a chance to save $700,000 this year by keeping Bonds from reaching 525 plate appearances. It’ll probably go right down to the wire. Preventing him from reaching the last incentive would seem petty, and could mark the end of Barry’s long relationship with the team. Problem is, no one can figure out another team that would have him.