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**BlueBaron** · 02-25-2008, 05:27 PM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays have had internal discussions about the prospect of pursuing Barry Bonds.

Manager Joe Maddon said Monday he knew "little" about what was going on, but acknowledged some thought has been given to the career home-run leader.

"A minor discussion was thrown out there a little bit, and it's really not gone any further than that," Maddon said after Monday's workout at the team's spring training facility. "That's all it is right now."

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**BlueBaron** · 02-25-2008, 05:28 PM

Is anyone surprised by this? How much does he have to offer?

Domenic · 02-25-2008, 07:38 PM

What does Bonds have to offer?

Over the past three seasons Bonds' overall line is .274/.464/.561. He produced numbers like this with no protection in his line-up, as well as being under the microscope. Even though he's getting older he still has a great deal to offer - moreover, you have to assume he'll perform better if he's able to DH as he'll be able to rest his aching body more often.

Worst case scenario - Bonds will draw media attention to the Rays, maybe help them garner more publicity which could help them garner a new ballpark. His presence, regardless of how much he has left, will also get better pitchest to hit for Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, and BJ Upton.

JollyDodger · 02-25-2008, 11:15 PM

Bonds still does the single most important thing: get on base. He is a defensive liability....which doesn't come into play in the AL. He is a media circus, but thats better than being a forgotten franchise. The Rays need Bonds more than he needs them.

**sa1177** · 02-26-2008, 12:34 PM

Bonds as a DH is still a option AL teams should look at IMO. As much as I dislike Bonds I have to admit he could be a solid contributor to as team as a DH.

JohnDoolittle · 02-26-2008, 04:06 PM

I really don't care if they sign him or not, just so he doesn't land on the Cardinals bus.

**Kyle** · 02-26-2008, 04:44 PM

agreed, I would cry if we picked him up

**BlueBaron** · 02-26-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDoolittle

I really don't care if they sign him or not, just so he doesn't land on the Cardinals bus.

I agree that he may have some gas left in the tank to be a DH but as far as anything else goes I just don't see it. I'm still waiting to see if the HGH scandal plays a part on whether or not he comes back for another year.