[Kitty]

In my wildest dreams, I never thought I would ever write these words: The Tigers should sign Barry Bonds.

Desperate situations call for desperate measures. It is time to make a deal with the devil.
Former Tigers manager Billy Martin used to boast that he would play Adolph Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Emperor Hirohito if they would help him win.

So why not evil incarnate Barry Bonds, baseball's all-time home run king? What do the Tigers have to lose -- except what is left of this once so-promising season? Let's face it: Time is no longer on their side. The status quo is not good enough. Stuck in third place because of their inexplicably sluggish start and continued inconsistent play, the Tigers are spinning their wheels.

They need a jolt. Bonds would definitely give them that. Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, says Barry, who turns 44 on July 24, could be ready to play by the end of the month. I say, go for it. The Tigers need another left-handed hitter. No one disputes that. Bonds bats left handed. And, with Gary Sheffield still nowhere near his former, fearsome self, they certainly could use another slugger in the heart of their batting order.

Say what you will about Bonds, but the reprobate can still hit. At least he could the last time anyone saw him swing.

Bonds hit .276 with 28 home runs, 66 RBI, a .565 slugging percentage, and, thanks to a major league-leading 132 walks, a .489 one-base percentage last season.

Compare that with the numbers posted last year by American League MVP Alex Rodriguez (.645 slugging percentage, .422 OBP), or National League superstar Albert Pujols (32 HRs, .568 slugging percentage, .429 OBP).
I'm not suggesting Bonds is the equal of either of those guys anymore -- but his stats speak for themselves.
Whatsmore, according to Bonds' agent, Barry would be willing to work cheap.

Borris said he has offered his client's services to all 30 major league teams, including the Tigers, for a pro-rated portion of baseball's $390,000 minimum salary. At this point, that would come to about $165,000. Chicken feed.

The Oakland Press: Sports

[DPETE56]

That really wouldn't be bad for either side.

The Tigers could use a presense in their lineup such as Barry and he seems like a good fit in Detroit.

[Kyle]

The Tigers would be much better off with Bonds than Sheffield IMO.

I hope Bonds doesn't end his career like this