Bonds, Beanballs, and More

Barry Bonds will officially have a new home in the spring of 2008 as the Sam Francisco Giants have informed the star slugger than the organization plans to part ways after his contract expires at the end of this season. In all reality, this is probably a move the Giants needed to make a few years ago in terms of what is best for their organization and the development of their prospects. That of course wasn't going to happen because there is no way they would of allowd Barry to break the all-time homerun record in anything other than a Giant uniform. That's the way it should be, too.

That being said, the Giants really shouldn't be affected too much for waiting to make this move as they aren't losing that much. Sure, they are losing probably 25-30 homeruns next season, assuming Bonds is healthy, but this opens them up to going after a more productive player in the offseason. Maybe this is the team that takes the gamble on Andruw Jones and offers a fairly large chunk of change to get the Jones of old.

It is obvious that Jones will not get the mega-deal he was hoping for coming into his walk year, but I am hesitant to believe that the guy is really this bad. There is still quite a good centerfielder left in that body, and who knows, maybe when he forgets about trying to impress potential employers and simply plays the game like he is capable of playing, that offensive force will be back.

When we think of potential Barry Bonds suitors, we automatically assume he will be going to an American League team and one who has a substantial amount of money to spend. That is all well and good, but I don't see Bonds fitting in New York or Boston so it will have to be somewhere else.

Boston is off limits for obvious reasons, the best one being David Ortiz. New York certainly has money to spend but I am not sure the fans would accept an ego like Bonds and the media would eat him alive. When looking at the players, the obvious smacks you in the face. The Yankees already have enough DH's on that roster.

Johnny Damon really is an average DH at this point as his defense has slowed and his arm is comparable to David Eckstein's. The problem is that most teams, and even more so in the AL East, want to run production out of their designated hitter, a guy who is going to hit the longball and drive runners in. Damon can't provide that for the Yankees, so it may be tough to find him playing time.

Jason Giambi is a pure DH. He should not play first base anymore, even if it means having his bat out of the lineup for a game. His glove proves to be too costly to take that chance. When he is healthy, though, he is still one of the most feared hitters in baseball. Giambi still has 30-40 homerun potential in him, and with that short porch in right, you never know what type of breakout can occur.

For me, this leaves two teams in mind that could possibly make a good fit for Bonds. Those teams are the Angels and Tigers.

Say Alex Rodriguez stays with the Yankees and the Angels are still looking for the power bat to protect Vladimir Guerrero in their lineup. Bonds would love to come to Southern California and play for a team that has a legitimate shot at playing for a World Series title every year. The Angels have the money to spend and don't really have a guy that is going to block Bonds from taking over at DH.

This would of been more likely had it not been for Guerrero's recent arm troubles which have considerably limited his playing time in right field. If Vlad can get his arm and body healthy, or at least to a level that is manageable, and play right field, this move would look better and better for Barry.

The Tigers are an interesting choice for me and one that hasn't been talked about much. When Gary Sheffield is healthy he can still play an adequate righfield. He is not great out there, but if it meant getting Bonds' bat in the lineup, the Tigers would do it in an instant. With Bonds, Sheffield, and Ordonez in the middle of that lineup-- watch out. Detroit has money to spend, justified by their aggressive philosophy in going after free agents and draft picks. Plus, wouldn't it be great to see Bonds and Leyland reunite since their days in Pittsburgh?

The Angels-Mariners game last night set up a stage for some serious future bad blood between the two teams. Jorge Campillo threw at catch Jeff Mathis in retaliation for Jered Weave hitting Kenji Johjima. That was all fine and good-- except for the part about the pitch being at Mathis' head-- because that is purely baseball. It should of ended there.

Vladimir Guerreo was brushed back by Campillo and then took the next pitch, a hanging breaking ball, and launched it well over 400 feet for a homerun, standing at the plate to admire it. Next time Guerrero stepped to the plate, Campillo threw a fastball at his head resulting in a benches clearing scuffle.

I am not sure why this is acceptable at any level of baseball. Campillo was only suspended 4 games by the commissioner, a mere slap on the wrist for his actions. Campillo is now regarded as a head hunter and is going to get his teammates quite a few bruises in the future.

This war is certainly not over, but it is important for the Angels to wait until next year to retaliate because they are going to the playoffs and Seattle is not. It is one thing to throw at a guy because you are backing up your teammate. That is part of a pitchers' job. If that was the case, Campillo would of drilled Mathis in the back or the ribs and it would of been over with. There was obviously malicious intent in his actions, and he turned baseball into a personal thing.

Going after heads is never alright, especially after the point was already made by throwing at the head of the catcher. The Angels surely have some callup in the bullpen that they could bring in to handle the business, but that will be a definite fight and in that lies the possibility of other suspensions or injuries.

The best is to wait until next year. Baseball players do not forget. It is too bad that the Mariners had a coward on the mound last night because a couple of their hitters are going to pay for his pitches. I understand Seattle is not going to the playoffs, but since when does that mean lose all class and respect for the game of baseball and its players?