from NEWSDAY:
Bonds unlikely but intriguing for Yankees
<DL class=byline>KAT O'BRIEN | kat.obrien@newsday.com; Staff writer Ken Davidoff <DD>July 25, 2008 </DD></DL>
The Yankees' brass convened in Tampa yesterday to talk about every possible way to improve their team down the stretch. Even Barry Bonds was on the table.
As he left the meetings at Legends Field after about three hours of talks, Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner told The Associated Press: "We talked about everything, including Bonds."
Neither Steinbrenner brother - Hank or co-chairman Hal - nor general manager Brian Cashman could be reached for comment last night. But signing Bonds likely is a very long shot for the Yankees. Cashman is not believed to be enamored of the idea of adding Bonds, who turned 44 yesterday and has not played all season.
A source, who called the meetings "due diligence," said: "He was discussed ... I think it's highly, highly unlikely that that would happen, but he was discussed."
There were three areas of need on the table: a hitter, a lefthanded reliever and a starting pitcher. According to a source, none of those needs takes priority over the other two. It's a simple matter of what presents itself on the trade front and whether anything makes sense.
A pretty good chance exists that the Yankees will not make a major move before the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline.
Sure, they might trade for a lefthanded reliever such as the Rockies' Brian Fuentes or the Royals' Ron Mahay; neither would cost a ton, though the Rockies want a solid prospect back for Fuentes.
But unless the asking price drops significantly, fans probably won't see the Rockies' Matt Holliday, the Pirates' Jason Bay or the Braves' Mark Teixeira in a Yankees uniform next weekend when the Angels come to town.
Scratch that last part. Given the Yankees' surplus of first basemen, there's virtually no chance Teixeira winds up in pinstripes this season.
Hank Steinbrenner told the AP after yesterday's meetings that there are a couple of interesting trade possibilities. The Yankees discussed all kinds of names, from Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn to Dodgers starter Derek Lowe, from Bay to fellow Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady, from Fuentes to Pirates lefthanded reliever Damaso Marte. But a source familiar with the discussions said there is "nothing close."
The Yankees will monitor an Aug. 5 showcase for righthander Freddy Garcia, 32. Garcia, recovering from shoulder surgery, is unlikely to be able to pitch before September.
On the offensive side, now that Jorge Posada is out of the catching picture for the rest of the season, the Yankees talked about whether they might be able to find another catcher. The Rangers' Gerald Laird, the Blue Jays' Rod Barajas and the Nationals' Paul Lo Duca might be available, but the Yankees don't necessarily view any of them as upgrades. A source said: "There doesn't seem to be much out there that's better than [Jose] Molina and [Chad] Moeller."
Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, recently said Bonds has received no contract offers, even for the major-league minimum. That surprised a few Yankees who were asked about Bonds recently.
Derek Jeter said he had not followed the situation closely but thought Bonds initially was considering retirement. If Bonds wants to play, though, Jeter said: "It's probably a little surprising [he hasn't gotten a job] ... In terms of hitting, he's one of the best offensive players ever."
As for Bonds' age, Jeter said: "He didn't really seem to be slowing down much last year."
Bonds batted .276 with a .945 on-base plus slugging percentage last year. He had 28 home runs, 66 RBIs and 75 runs scored in 126 games and 340 at-bats. The only Yankee with an OPS in that realm is Alex Rodriguez, who is at .991.
Rodriguez - who, like Jeter, is known to be friendly with Bonds - said Wednesday that he hadn't thought about Bonds' employment situation.
Johnny Damon, when asked about Bonds' lack of a job but not specifically about the Yankees, said: "Not too many teams need a DH, except for probably us, if Matso [Hideki Matsui] and Posada can't come back."
The Yankees don't know for certain if Matsui or Posada will return from the disabled list this season. Odds are both will undergo season-ending surgery, Matsui on his left knee and Posada on his right shoulder. If they don't come back, the Yankees could use a DH.
Could it be Bonds? That's unlikely, but as Bobby Abreu said: "He's one of the best players ever."
Bonds unlikely but intriguing for Yankees
<DL class=byline>KAT O'BRIEN | kat.obrien@newsday.com; Staff writer Ken Davidoff <DD>July 25, 2008 </DD></DL>
The Yankees' brass convened in Tampa yesterday to talk about every possible way to improve their team down the stretch. Even Barry Bonds was on the table.
As he left the meetings at Legends Field after about three hours of talks, Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner told The Associated Press: "We talked about everything, including Bonds."
Neither Steinbrenner brother - Hank or co-chairman Hal - nor general manager Brian Cashman could be reached for comment last night. But signing Bonds likely is a very long shot for the Yankees. Cashman is not believed to be enamored of the idea of adding Bonds, who turned 44 yesterday and has not played all season.
A source, who called the meetings "due diligence," said: "He was discussed ... I think it's highly, highly unlikely that that would happen, but he was discussed."
There were three areas of need on the table: a hitter, a lefthanded reliever and a starting pitcher. According to a source, none of those needs takes priority over the other two. It's a simple matter of what presents itself on the trade front and whether anything makes sense.
A pretty good chance exists that the Yankees will not make a major move before the July 31 non-waivers trade deadline.
Sure, they might trade for a lefthanded reliever such as the Rockies' Brian Fuentes or the Royals' Ron Mahay; neither would cost a ton, though the Rockies want a solid prospect back for Fuentes.
But unless the asking price drops significantly, fans probably won't see the Rockies' Matt Holliday, the Pirates' Jason Bay or the Braves' Mark Teixeira in a Yankees uniform next weekend when the Angels come to town.
Scratch that last part. Given the Yankees' surplus of first basemen, there's virtually no chance Teixeira winds up in pinstripes this season.
Hank Steinbrenner told the AP after yesterday's meetings that there are a couple of interesting trade possibilities. The Yankees discussed all kinds of names, from Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn to Dodgers starter Derek Lowe, from Bay to fellow Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady, from Fuentes to Pirates lefthanded reliever Damaso Marte. But a source familiar with the discussions said there is "nothing close."
The Yankees will monitor an Aug. 5 showcase for righthander Freddy Garcia, 32. Garcia, recovering from shoulder surgery, is unlikely to be able to pitch before September.
On the offensive side, now that Jorge Posada is out of the catching picture for the rest of the season, the Yankees talked about whether they might be able to find another catcher. The Rangers' Gerald Laird, the Blue Jays' Rod Barajas and the Nationals' Paul Lo Duca might be available, but the Yankees don't necessarily view any of them as upgrades. A source said: "There doesn't seem to be much out there that's better than [Jose] Molina and [Chad] Moeller."
Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, recently said Bonds has received no contract offers, even for the major-league minimum. That surprised a few Yankees who were asked about Bonds recently.
Derek Jeter said he had not followed the situation closely but thought Bonds initially was considering retirement. If Bonds wants to play, though, Jeter said: "It's probably a little surprising [he hasn't gotten a job] ... In terms of hitting, he's one of the best offensive players ever."
As for Bonds' age, Jeter said: "He didn't really seem to be slowing down much last year."
Bonds batted .276 with a .945 on-base plus slugging percentage last year. He had 28 home runs, 66 RBIs and 75 runs scored in 126 games and 340 at-bats. The only Yankee with an OPS in that realm is Alex Rodriguez, who is at .991.
Rodriguez - who, like Jeter, is known to be friendly with Bonds - said Wednesday that he hadn't thought about Bonds' employment situation.
Johnny Damon, when asked about Bonds' lack of a job but not specifically about the Yankees, said: "Not too many teams need a DH, except for probably us, if Matso [Hideki Matsui] and Posada can't come back."
The Yankees don't know for certain if Matsui or Posada will return from the disabled list this season. Odds are both will undergo season-ending surgery, Matsui on his left knee and Posada on his right shoulder. If they don't come back, the Yankees could use a DH.
Could it be Bonds? That's unlikely, but as Bobby Abreu said: "He's one of the best players ever."
I honestly believe this and no one seems to bring it up, which kinda surprises me, thus I'll ask.
Bonds presents a huge distraction for teams, players. The whole circus around him is enough to drive anyone crazy, and thats not even mentioning his own arrogance and personality which can wreck any club house. Most Giant players for years basically remained silent about many things in fear of 'speaking againist Barry'. That was not the case with Jeff Kent with whom he went at it publicly. Don't you think bringing Barry on, regardless of his power and threat at the plate is too big of a risk for any team to take? Some teams look like they're having fun out there , like last years Colorado Rockies team, like the Phils this year or the post Rudolph Mets. Bringing Barry in can absolutely kill the mood for any clubhouse. If these issues weren't a problem, I'd say he gives a team a better chance to win but if he can wreck team chemistry all by himself, I for one think he doesnt necessarily make anyone better by being present in the lineup.
Bonds presents a huge distraction for teams, players. The whole circus around him is enough to drive anyone crazy, and thats not even mentioning his own arrogance and personality which can wreck any club house. Most Giant players for years basically remained silent about many things in fear of 'speaking againist Barry'. That was not the case with Jeff Kent with whom he went at it publicly. Don't you think bringing Barry on, regardless of his power and threat at the plate is too big of a risk for any team to take? Some teams look like they're having fun out there , like last years Colorado Rockies team, like the Phils this year or the post Rudolph Mets. Bringing Barry in can absolutely kill the mood for any clubhouse. If these issues weren't a problem, I'd say he gives a team a better chance to win but if he can wreck team chemistry all by himself, I for one think he doesnt necessarily make anyone better by being present in the lineup.
Good points - BUT, ask any player out there and ask them what WINNING does for team chemistry. Even the most dysfunctional problems are solved by winning. Sure, losing has the opposite effect, but odds are that a team with Bonds on the roster can win more often than not.
I'm not saying that I'm a big fan of Bonds, far from it, but I don't buy into the whole "chemistry" thing. Bonds hits the ball and he hits it well and that's all that matters.
