Pedro Gomez Can Feed His Family Again

Published by on December 7, 2006 | 2 Responses

Barry Bonds is set to return to the bay for a 1 year 16 million dollar contract. It’s not too surprising that Bonds returns to the Giants since reception for his services seemed to be lukewarm at best despite his agents claims of a ‘mystery team offering a 2 year deal’. After failed attempts to land Soriano, Lee, and maybe Manny, Bonds was almost a lock to return to San Fran. The Giants desperately needed a power bat in the lineup and Bonds can still fill that role quite nicely. Heres what I like about the deal and what I don’t like

The Good

  • The deal is for only one year. If age finally catches up to Bonds and he can’t produce anymore it’s not that big of a deal as his contract will be off the books for the next season

  • Bonds is still a very valuable offensive player. Even though Barry struggled before the All Star break he still got on base at a amazing clip. Post All Star break his numbers looked pretty good (.292/.430/.596 1.026 OPS)
  • Fans will come out to the ballpark to see Bonds. When Bonds is playing AT&T sells out.

The Bad

  • So much for getting younger huh? Bringing back Bonds further delays any rebuilding period for the Giants but the Giants weren’t exactly headed in the youth direction anyways before the Bonds signing. Maybe next year.

  • Can you say ‘media frenzy’? If and when Bonds closes in on Aaron’s record things are going to be nuts. The media will have a field day with steroids and the homerun record. I can already feel it coming and its one of those topics that the sports media just can’t get enough of.
  • Somewhat connected to the point above, how much of a distraction will the media circus be on the team overall? After 2006 their were rumors from within the Giants clubhouse that Bonds constant draw of media attention was bugging teammates.

I am glad the Giants brought back Bonds because they needed the bat but 2007 is going to be very annoying for the Giants fan. The talking heads on ESPN, Pedro Gomez I am looking in your direction, are going to beat this horse to death. As long as ‘Bonds on Bonds’ isn’t resurrected I’ll be fine.

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Chris
Chris

Thanks for the comments Snuffy, I hope you're right about 35-40 homers, the Giants will need every bit of Bonds this year, maybe more than usual.

Snuffy Smith
Snuffy Smith

I agree with your perception of Barry's performqnce last year. I think it was around the all star break before he felt healthy. Three knee surgeries in succession on someone over forty is difficult to come back and perform at the highest level. He simply didn't heal until July. It was beacause of his elbow that there wasn't many splash hits. Now that he has had even more time to heal and get healthy he'll be able perform as he did after the all star break last season. I think he'll break Aarons record by mid August and come close to 35-40 homers and of course he'll again lead the league in OBP. and that is why he is worth the money, he simply doesn't make many outs. That causes the opposing team to alter the way they approach the game. Things begin to happen and suddenly the game unravels and Giants win.