Crawford, Upton: Who wouldn't want Bonds?

If Rays officials do decide to pursue all-time home run leader Barry Bonds, two of their young star outfielders said they would welcome the move.
"C'mon,'' B.J. Upton said, "it's Barry.''
Two-time All-Star Carl Crawford said Bonds could be a good addition to the team's lineup, despite whatever issues, and attention, might follow him.
"If they are really serious about it, I'm pretty sure we can adjust to it,'' Crawford said before Monday's workout. "It's Barry Bonds - who wouldn't want to have him on their team?
"He still hit, what, 28 home runs last year? He's walking a lot, still been very productive. You can understand why we could be interested in him. I'm surprised to see him not signed yet.''
The Times reported Monday that Rays officials have had internal discussions about Bonds, as well as other remaining free agents, but have not decided whether to proceed. Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, is in Tampa this week but wouldn't say if he planned to meet with the Rays.
Rays officials didn't have to much to say about the subject on Monday. Through spokesman Rick Vaughn, Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman said: "It's a non-story.''

ESPN's Buster Olney addressed the subject in his daily Insider blog, concluding "he does make a whole lot of sense for Tampa Bay,'' and offering this idea for what the Rays lineup could look like in mid-summer (implying that Evan Longoria will start the season in the minors):

1. 2B Akinori Iwamura
2. LF Carl Crawford
3. CF B.J. Upton
4. DH Barry Bonds
5. 1B Carlos Pena
6. RF Rocco Baldelli/Cliff Floyd
7. 3B Evan Longoria
8. C Dioner Navarro
9. SS Jason Bartlett

The Cardinals considered Bonds and decided not to proceed, according to manager Tony La Russa.

Also, the Twins have decided Delmon Young will play leftfield, and manager Ron Gardenhire praised him for his restraint in responding to Carl Crawford's comments last week.

Comments

[Big Show Baseball]

Barry Bonds is the best hitter of all time. I would become a Devil Rays fan if they sign him.

[Andy C.]

Bonds would put up great numbers with the Rays. He would have great protection hitting in front of Pena, Baldelli/Gomes/Floyd, and Longoria. Not to mention the runs he would bring in having Aki, Crawford, and Upton hitting in front of him.

Yeah, Barry Bonds may have cheated. Sure, he's a jerk to most people. True, he brings in lots of money. Ticket sales, merchandise revenue, tv ratings, and national attention are only going to help the Rays. Bonds will be gone in a year or two and we would have a strengthened team because of it.

Business wise and baseball wise it makes perfect sense. I'm not praying for Barry Bonds to put on a Rays jersey, but I can't logicaly argue against it.

And think if they have Bonds hit home run 800 and then open the new park they can name the right field splash down area "Bonds Bay"

[Jason]

Hey Richard, Looks to me like more than 20-30% of people support the idea of Bonds. Did you count the amount of supporters on this blog or just completely make that statistic up? Also I didn't say adultery, cheating on taxes, cheating in baseball, and breaking laws are fine. I'm merely saying that before people start casting judgement on others take a look at the majority of society and morally bankrupt it is. So the fact that some jerk took steroids or HGH to hit a baseball better is trivial to me. I'd still like to have him on my team.

[back, back]

back back barry bonds back back barack obama back back, gone off the catwalk.

[jeff]

For God sakes people can't you see the opportunities of having a "player" in the juicing game in your clubhouse? Can you imagine former Ray Casey Fossum bulging huge? And that's just his head! And if anyone gets caught - fess up and all will be forgiven. Bring him on Andy!

[Rob]

Oh...he's a bad role model...boo hoo!!! All I know is he can hit the freakin ball, and I don't care if he's a good guy or not, as long as he hits the ball. Also, look how many comments are on this post. No other Rays article comes close. I hope we sign him. Wow.... Crawford, Upton, Pena, Baldelli, Longoria, and now Bonds...watch out AL pitching.

[Tyler]

You can't cite other players as evidence against signing Bonds. He's the greatest hitter who's ever stepped on the field. There is no one comparable to him. Bonds OPS last year was almost 100 points higher than Canseco and Vaughn's career high.

And as for this character non-sense, they're not getting rid of guys who are low character just because of that. They traded Dukes because he was a circus and needed out of Tampa and Delmon got traded because they thought it made the team better. They traded for Aybar who's a recovering alcoholic and 'allegedly' beat his wife. So lets end this sign only high character guy talk right now.

[Dave]

No no no no NO.

This team spent the off season trading guys with upside but a lot of baggage (Young, Dukes), and getting good value back for them.

Even considering Bonds makes no sense. They won't do it.

Piazza and Lofton? Sure, maybe, but not Bonds.

Anyone else remember Canseco and Vaughn or am I the only one?

[bob]

are u all dumb? who cares if he supposedly took steroids- he isn't on them now. Not only that he has never been caught so its all speculation. FOr the uneducated he has only had problems with his team once against one player in jeff kent so before you start mouthing off about the possibility of him ruining the clubhouse learn the facts. For all the fans who say they wont go if we sign him well good cause you arent a true fan anyway. Im sure half the bucs have taken steroids before so quit complaining and pray that we get a solid DH to help the rays out.

[ed]

there's a great preview of the 08 rays at the fleece factor: http://mlbfleecefactor.com/2008/02/25/the-2008-tampa-bay-rays-a-rumbling-volcano/

this team looks fine to me without bonds. save the money for next year when they may have a shot at competing. No?

Plus, bonds is a lying, cheating, criminal and i don't want any part of him.

[REX]

The same idiot naysayers here are the ones that don't want a stadium deal. They are not fans. They like to complain, and complain, and complain some more.

Barry Bonds is the most prolific hitter of this generation. Is he a jerk? Sure. Who cares?!?!

I've noticed Carl Crawford change in the last year - not exactly fan friendly. You know what? I don't care. I want him in LF for the Rays.

Bottom Line - bring on Barry!
And a waterfront Stadium!
And a new St Pete ST Team!

[Sal]

Jimbo you go sell your tickets , its obvious you aren't a fan anyway. If Barry helps get 10 more wins i'm all for it , he gets too much crap anyway. These steroid investigations are stupid and a waste of tax payer money and do not make that much of a difference in how a bat can hit a ball.

[Karllee]

People here have gotten to be OUT OF THEIR ******* MINDS that they do not want Bonds on the Rays? You want the team to be competitive and win, then sign Bonds ASAP!! Don't tell me for one second, you wouldn't want to have Bonds up to finish off another Rays win come June, July, October dare I say! Who the heck cares about his past, I want to see the Rays win NOW!!

[Tyler]

Tuck, Bonds is the best player who's ever played the game. Yeah, we don't "need" him, but he'd make this team exponentially better. He'd instantly be the best hitter on the team. There is no one in baseball that can consistently get on base 50% of the time and Bonds does that. Basically, with Aki, him, CC, and Upton in front of Pena, someone is going to be on base 60+% of the time he comes to the plate. He might drive in 140 runs next year if we sign Bonds.

[Richard]

You have aout 20-30% idiots who are ok with signing Bonds, because adultery, cheating on taxes, cheating in baseball, and breaking laws are fine. It's hard for me to believe that management would take the PR and financial hit from the 70-80% rest of us that will stop supporting the team if he signs. Or would they?

[Tuck]

They really don't need Bonds. Floyd was a real nice signing for them, and they have plenty of left-handed bats.

The OF and DH positions will be strong for the Rays this year... especially if they can figure out how to keep Rocco healthy.

[Tyler]

Except that Joe Maddon said that they have talked about him, which makes Marc, correct. And if you're going to knock the guy, at least spell his name correctly.

Bond's agent is in town and he's meeting with Friedman, we know this is a fact. His agent said it, he wouldn't comment on Bonds specifically.

He's the best hitter in the history of Baseball, steroids or not. He posts 1.000 OPS in his sleep. He will make this team significantly better.

[calmer than you are]

mark topkin MADE UP THIS STORY. he apparently cannot find anything worth writing about at the rays camp, or is auditioning for a move to the new york post.

[Chris]

no, no, no, no
Why trade delmon and dukes for their baggage and sign someone with truckful?
No

[Johnny Juicer]

I see your upside Jarid. I see the downside too- a shortage of "B12" shots available in the bay area.

[Jarid]

Happy to see Jimbo and Steven have some common sense. wow, there is only 2 other people not including myself that see the upside to this.

Hr's
O.B. %
runs

case closed

[jman]

Maybe this is backward thinking, but if the Rays decide NOT to sign Bonds, will they be praised? Perhaps this kind of debate is being churned in hopes the Rays say "No" and move on with the delight of most fans. They've made plenty of good moves this offseason, maybe this is their opportunity to show how NOT making a move can also be a good thing.

[Jarid]

Ok, for all you clowns who sit here and cry "he cheated" and "we dont want him" waa, waa, waa 90% of you prob dont go to any games and.. ask yourself this.. who isn't cheating? oh but wait.. if it was Clemens or Tejada they wanted to sign, would any of you have an issue with that? Now, having said that.. has he ever tested positive? ok, then be quiet.. the team could always use more power left handed hitter in the lineup.. throw him as the DH.. let Tampa get some exposure and everything will be fine. a 1yr deal.. oh no... that would be so horrible?.. please.. give me a break!

[kyle]

Can we bring back Greg Vaughn also. "Hit Show"

[Johnny Juicer]

I see an upswing in business coming to the bay area.

[michael]

One Team, One Cheating Egotistical Jackass

[Steven]

Wow this would be a great add for the Rays. Who cares about what kind of person he is? I am tired of nice guys finshings with 100 loses. He would for sure help our lineup. Imagine his obp and Pena hitting behind him? With the DH spot he would be able to rest! I will also be sitting in right field every game because each of his HR's is worth a few grand!

[Brian]

this sounds like something the old management would do....a return of "The Hit Show." We all know how that turned out, but then again I must admit his name does look good in that line-up. I think he would be going in the wrong direction of what the Rays want, but if all the players are up for it, then go for it. But for what you could get Bonds for a year, they could pay Kazmir and Crawford to stay.

[Abner Landry]

I will not attend a single game and will not purchase the season tickets that my physician friends and I are contemplating if you sign this jerk...are you kidding me!?!

[Jimbo]

LOL...Bonds is certainly polarizing. If he hits over .280, 30-40 homers, .650 slugging, over a .400 on-base percentage and the contract is liveable playing DH?

Sure...why not. As long as he's one of the guys and not shown preferencial treatment.

And as long as the players are cool with it and Stu knows his risks...

Wouldn't stop me from going to the games. I'd rather have Barry with a better shot at winning than going and seeing what's been playing the last few years.

[tunamanz]

Bring in Barry and let him be the first to hit a homer into "Al Lang Cove"!

[mikey]

Anybody remember Jose Conseco. deja vu all over again. Rays management must be hanging out with Gruden and Bruce A. Please, no Barry Bonds....pleeeeezzzze, pleeeeeze, pleeeeze!!

[Annette]

This guy has been and will always be a "jerk!" We DON'T need any more jerks on our baseball team...Dukes was enough!

[Gene]

The issue with Bonds is not if he is a "fan favorite" or if he "broke the law", neither of which really matter. Look how much happier the Giants clubhouse is now that he left. Look at how much time he has been off because of injuries, look at the spot on the roster he would take up. The Rays generated more good will and excitement this off season getting rid of locker room malcontents and bringing in stable veterans and developing young players. Signing Bonds would be a 180 degree turn in the opposite direction from that which has people nationally talking about this franchise finally getting on its feet, and local people starting to get interested. He might fit somehere, but not here.

[Gene]

The issue with Bonds is not if he is a "fan favorite" or if he "broke the law", neither of which really matter. Look how much happier the Giants clubhouse is now that he left. Look at how much time he has been off because of injuries, look at the spot on the roster he would take up. The Rays generated more good will and excitement this off season getting rid of locker room malcontents and bringing in stable veterans and developing young players. Signing Bonds would be a 180 degree turn in the opposite direction from that which has people nationally talking about this franchise finally getting on its feet, and local people starting to get interested. He might fit somehere, but not here.

[Sean]

I hear people complaining that Salas might not make the bullpen this year and be sent to Druham, he took drugs and was suspended 50 games last year. That might have been a bigger blow to the bullpen because it made us rely on people like Brian Stokes.

Julio Lugo beat his wife and was still a fan favorite. Steroids was not cheating at the time and I believe that atleast 50% of major league baseball was using or has used performance enhancing substances.

[Shango Wango Festival Lover]

No new stadium! No Barry Bonds! Save the homeless! Rick Baker for the mayor of Tent City! Homeless are people too!

Not.

[Monday]

Im all for it. He can 'roid up the Rays and take them to the World Series!

[Bay to Bay]

From one Bay to another. I'd definitely welcome it....

[JB]

Upton and Craword want him..Seems as if they know a little bit more then the rest of us.. Just confirms my feelings about Craword being jealous of Delmon young.. He gets rid of one cancer yet wants another??

Rays Record will be

72-89

[Ed Latonis]

Central Florida is not San Francisco. I don't think the average Central Florida fan will tolerate the signing of any player who has lied about his involvement with drugs. Yeah, I know, nothing has been proven but like with Clemens there is enough smoke to believe there is a fire.

[Ron]

Didn't BJ Upton and Carl Crawford say they would welcome the team signing Barry Bonds? Just putting it out there.

[ds]

We hate to 'loose' any fans. But sorry, 10:25 is correct. I can guarantee you that every team out there, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and the list goes on, include someone that somebody doesn't like. Get over it. Again, baseball was lacking in the rules. More than will ever admit it have done it. For those of you preaching 'bad role model', I'd love to know what other sports, music, etc. that you follow. There's trouble everywhere. At least he isn't a wife beating thug or a drunk. And goodness knows there are plenty of those out there!

[soon to be x-rays fan]

Ray will loose a lot of fans (me included) if Bonds plays here. Don't do it!!! Not a good role model for our young guys.

[cutter]

hey Jason, what the hell are you smoking?/ the guy is a discredit to the game. Its called cheating. If Pete Rose is banned because of cheating, What do you consider Bonds??? Cinderella.

[Jason]

With the recent coverage of the Clemens fiasco and the release of the Mitchell Report, Bonds doesn't appear to be the villain of baseball any more. He's just one of many guys who took advantage of baseball's lack of a policy banning performance enhancing drugs. I don't blame him or any other player for doing all they can do to perform at the highest level without violating the rules of the game. Yes, I know it was against the law but it was not a violation of baseball rules, period. People break laws all the time. Who amongst us doesn't violate traffic laws daily? How many of us skate the letter of the law when filing taxes? How many of us have committed adultery? The guy takes heat mostly because he's not a friendly man. He has never been a media darling and frankly it doesn't bother me. There are all sorts of people just like him on every sports team. The most important thing that matters to me is how the player performs on the field. He certainly would be a valuable addition to almost any team. I couldn't imagine customers of my employer not patronizing the business because of my personal problems. I would love to see him in a Rays' uniform. The guy is the best everyday player of the last 40 years. He still has a lot to offer. I don't recall hearing any boos when he played in San Francisco. The guy is polarizing, no question. However, the hometown fans loved him.

[James]

Remind me again why we traded Young and Dukes. Oh, yeah, they had too much baggage and weren't clubhouse favorites. Well, I can see now overpaying Barry Bonds is a great idea. His entire career he has been a fan favorite, a great presence around the clubhouse, and an all around team leader. A great ambassador to the game of baseball.

Lets just hope this is Stu's way of getting ESPN to continue to talk about the Rays, although not in the light most Rays fans want.

[Alex]

I will be returning my 20-game pack if Bonds is signed.

[Tom Flankton]

Jumpin Jelly Beans! Yes!! Bring a little excitement to this team. If I have to read about that lunk head Elijah Dukes one more time, I will go slummin & start rootin for the Yankees!
The owners keep telling us how smart they are, come on boys, bring some interest to us, the hotdog buyers!!
Good day.

[Kyle]

I'm one fan who wouldn't want him. I'm surprised anyone would consider him at all except as a gimmick to increase attendance. It may work. Some will come to watch, some will come to boo. It doesn't fit with the philosophy the Rays have been building this team with for the last two years. Use the money to sign Scott Kazmir.