This, from the article: "San Francisco's decision not to offer Barry arbitration speaks volumes of their true intentions to have him back in a Giants uniform for the 2007 season," said Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris. is probably not really accurate. I think there are several possible scenarios at work here: A) The Giants have every intention of bringing Bonds back, and know that his strong preference is to stay (and face the devil he knows), and they know from other teams that there is no strong interest in him out there. So, they figure they can bring him back at a bargain price, but arbitration would hamstring their ability to sign him at below market value. Which I think is a strong possibility. or B) The Giants have an interest in bringing Bonds back, but only as their Plan B if they continue to fail to sign a better alternative. Offering arbitration would unnecessarily lock them in with Bonds. or C) The Giants want Bonds back, but feel that confirming his return this early may scare away other prospective free agents who might lean against playing under the tent of that particular circus if they knew that circus was definitely going to be in town. Of course, it's possible that the Giants didn't offer arbitration because they don't want him back, and either don't think any other team wants him either (unlikely), or are willing to forgo the free agent picks in order to ensure that he will not return. I doubt this, though. My guess is that Bonds is still on the Giants shopping list, and they're just trying to strengthen their bargaining position by keeping arbitration out of the picture.
It seems as if he'll remain a Giant unless some team decides to make a foolish offer. In a perfect world he'd go back to Pittsburgh for one last year, where it all began, and put some fans in the seats at PNC. Bat him ahead of Jason Bay, and (depending on his health) he'll probably see some pitches to hit, walk a ton of times, help inflate Bay's stats, and get enough homers to pass Aaron and retire. And, yes, I know the Pirates could never afford it.
Boy his career sure has been going downhill fast since he can't get the good 'roids anymore. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with injuries, or the fact he's now 42 years old. Athletes of all sorts tend to start losing it quite quickly when they reach that age, don't 'ya think? Face the facts that although steroids obviously "pumped up" Bonds' power stats the last several years, he was one of the game's best players, period, long before that. That's what separates him from Mark McGwire, who was a power hitter, primarily due to performance enhancers, and nothing else. The rest of his game was non-existent. Barry had the speed, hit for average, and won the gold gloves. It's just too bad that wasn't enough for him. For the record, McGwire should have never been allowed to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot. Bonds will be a much tougher call.
I'll say he goes to the Mexican League. Much easier to get steroids down there, and none of those annoying drug tests. "It's just too bad that wasn't enough for him." I totally agree dyams!! I saw Barry play as a Sun-Devil in the College World Series. No one was more exciting and that continued into his early Major League career. He has said that enhancers never effected his skills, but what he will probably never see is that they have and will forever effect his legacy. He will probably go into the hall- and be the first member booed at the induction ceremony!!!
Dyams, You can not be from Pittsburgh and if you are you must be drunk or high. Barry would NEVER go back to the pirates. While many people around the country hate Barry guts, The City of Pittsburgh despises him. He would be Booed and hated more than ever before. He would not draw PNC crowds unless the had throw stuff at Barry night as a promotion. Plus we suck so he wouldn't want to play here even more.
Plus we suck so he wouldn't want to play here even more. That's probably the biggest reason. Not that it is a Pittsburgh-only thing, but he wants to win a World Series ring, and teams like Kansas City and Pittsburgh are pretty far away from helping him get one.
My crystal ball says he'll be back as a Giant for around $10 million. Magowan et al know that Barry fills seats but dont wanna blow their wad on him - hence the Manny rumors, arbitration, etc.
I think he's cocky enough to want to set the record as a position player. I don't see him signing with american league team to play as a DH. Actually, I would respect the record a little more if it did come from a non-DH.
