When the Giants Come to Town, It's Bye-Bye Baby

09.24.2007
Post-Game 8/23: More Bonds Thoughts

Giants 5, Reds 4: The last two games could be the main formulas for Giant victories next year. Formula 1: Young starting pitcher throws stellar ball, team scores just enough to eke out a victory. Formula 2: Young hitters look terrible against an above-average pitcher then briefly swarm like gnats to bunch a few runs together and squeak past the equally crummy opposition. Shaky middle relief but strong 8th and 9th inning work from Walker-Wilson, and voila, a W.

In the post-Bonds era, five runs will seem an oasis in the desert, half an eclair in front of an angry vegan, a girlie mag blowing down the street past a homeless celibate.

PLODAG: Travis Blackley. The Aussie made his first major-league start since 2004. His arvo started as ugly as dingo chunder, but he righted himself for four shutout innings. Good on ya, Trav!

Let’s get to Bonds. He’s missed eight straight game with a jammed big toe, which helps put a little perspective on what we all knew was coming. Did you really think he’d be back next year?

Personally, I’m torn. He’s still a potent offensive force when he gets plenty of rest. But the 118 games started this year felt tenuous. Another year of the outfield grind, and that number could drop below 100.

Bill Walsh was the master at letting beloved veterans go. A year too early better than a year too late, was his motto. Putting aside how the kiss-off was handled — I have no idea if they should have announced it earlier or not — it’s time psychologically for the team to move on. It’s not cold, callous, or hypocritical. Bonds will be lavishly honored. His will have his statue. His number will be retired. No matter what the national media, even the Hall of Fame ultimately decides, the Giants will make him a hero. That doesn’t mean they have to let him retire on his own terms and with a contract of his choosing.

But Gawdamahty, this will be a terrible offensive team next year. Here’s my suggestion. Let Bonds go out and fish for a $15 M contract. He’ll likely target an American League where he can DH and save his legs. But what AL team will reciprocate? If he can’t get what he wants in a city where he feels comfortable — and come February if the Giants haven’t done enough to improve the offense via a savvy trade or two and a reasonable contract for an underrated free agent (or two), perhaps he and the Giants can work something out for a few million dollars.

A million things can block such a scenario — stubborn pride, burned bridges, legal action, dumb public comments, backstabbing leaks (“Now for the continuing adventures of Dusty Baker, Tax Evader!”), and a brilliant, franchise-changing blockbuster trade on the part of Brian Sabean. OK, a million minus one.
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[September 24, 2007 10:39 AM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

I think it's fine to let Bonds go and announce now so he can have his due this next week or so BUT. . . I don't think Lewis, Schierholtz, Davis, Ortmeier will (or should) all get 500+ at bats. So I agree it would be foolish to spend 15 mil on Barry but there are a lot of reachable goals that he wants so who cares if the price is right, if he plays under 100 games next year? Maybe it couldn't happen but I'd welcome him for $3 mil plus some incentives and playing 3 days a week. Why not if the price was right?

[September 24, 2007 11:48 AM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

You stole my idea for a post! :^)

That's been my backup hope about Bonds, that this move is all about shooting for the A-Rod sweepstakes, with the possible backstory that, whether or (probably) not we sign A-Rod, a little short of spring training Bonds and the team will come together for a cheap contract for him to come back and "properly" say good-bye to him.

Despite all the talk about how AL teams would welcome him as DH, particularly the A's, I still don't see it happening with the national media giving him such bad publicity (and to be fair, not all untrue) and bad public image.

Think, if we do get A-Rod, he and Barry hold a press conference announcing Bonds signing on and properly passing the torch to the next homerun king, plus maybe A-Rod can help Barry get his ring in 2008, think of all the brotherly love that would be in the room with Barry crying and everything.

Here's a thought: should we get lucky in the A-Rod sweepstakes (which is akin to saying, "if I held the $300M winning Megamillions ticket" literally), would it be better to play him at SS and resign Feliz or play him at 3B and resign Vizquel? Scary thought, eh?

[September 24, 2007 12:47 PM]  |  link  |  reply
rocketdog said

"Dingo chunder." Obviously I hope Blackley continues to improve, but in the event he never pans out that would be an absolutely awesome nickname.

[September 24, 2007 1:10 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Elbo said

Maybe the dingo ate your offense.

[September 24, 2007 1:37 PM]  |  link  |  reply
bigO said

A-Rod (not coming here) at SS and Feliz at 3B. Talk radio today had hosts saying now that Bavasi has signed for next year there is "NO WAY" Bonds comes to Seattle.

[September 24, 2007 2:12 PM]  |  link  |  reply
trilljester said

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bonds in an Angels uniform next year as their DH. However, if the Angels somehow can't get a deal done and Bonds is teamless, then yes, why not try and resign him?

The question would be then, could we afford to go after ARod AND have Bonds? My first inclination is a no.. but, you never know.

[September 24, 2007 2:18 PM]  |  link  |  reply
ELM said

For what it's worth, Baseball Prospectus's Nate Silver puts the following odds on where Barry lands next year:

Padres 4-1
A’s 5-1
[Retirement] 6-1
Angels 10-1
Tigers 12-1
Giants 12-1
Orioles 25-1

[September 24, 2007 7:12 PM]  |  link  |  reply
johnP said

I'm still waiting for the Bonds + Vladdy 1-2 punch in a world series...

[September 24, 2007 9:29 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Frank said

I was sad, really sad, depressed, even. Not that I vehemently disagree. I do want to see Lewis, Schierholtz, Davis (and maybe a Bowker or Timpner) get some ABs. I thought, given the O that Barry provides, bring him back for right around 100 games for $8, 9 mil would be a good baseball decision (altho it would maybe require getting rid of not just one, but both Winn and Roberts and I don't think that is realistically in the cards.

Detroit, Toronto, Boston, either Chicago team, even Kansas City could take him if his contract is in the $10-12 mil range. For that money how can you turn down THAT bat?

[September 25, 2007 4:17 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Reeky said

ELM, you started out OK -- "Bill Walsh...too early better than...too late...it’s time...to move on" -- but then you slipped off the wagon. It **IS** time to move on, it's probably a year or two too late in terms of the Giants winning. Many other teams win without Bonds. Many other teams developed talent in the last 3 years while the G's clung to Bonds, and win with that talent. Bonds' presence in the clubhouse will hold back the younguns and everybody else. It is time to let go.

[September 25, 2007 8:41 PM]  |  link  |  reply
obsessivegiantscompulsive said

The Giants have developed talent in the past 3 years, Cain, Lowry, Lincecum, the whole bullpen.

[September 25, 2007 11:44 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Reeky said

Agreed!