Barry Bonds to Play Ball in Japan?

[Wassit3]

You always knew there was a possibility, as remote as it may seem. With nobody paging Jeff Borris to inquire about Baroid this off-season, the agent threw it out there that his unemployed client could be headed to the Far East to play ball in Japan. I’m sure it was meant more as a joke than a threat, but nevertheless, the idea is quite humorous.

“He’s not retiring,” Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, told Metro yesterday. “He intends to play somewhere. If a door doesn’t open for Barry in the major leagues, as unbelievable as that possibility sounds, then Japan certainly is an option.”

It’s amazing how hard they’re trying to find Bonds some work. Just this week a story hit the wire reminding folks that Barry’s services were still available. As suggested in the article, it’s quite possible that Bonds is being blackballed from the game. Whether it’s unspoken and subtly insinuated by Bud Selig is unclear, but we do know that it’s already Spring Training and Bonds does not have a job. Japan? I would die to see it. And let’s not forget that Barry actually does have a job offer on the table.

http://larrybrownsports.com/baseball...seball-league/

[RickD]

Maybe no body wants him because he is OLD and controversial. Japan though I wish he would go there! Stay there!

[ronnccox]

I wish the Royals would make an offer...some incentive laden package based on plate appearances. He would be the perfect DH and they need the offense. Badly. I'm sure some people would be "outraged" in K.C. but heads would cool with every HR. They certainly won't lose more games, and attendence would skyrocket.

[EVEN11323]

And I'm sure Pedro Gomez would be hot on his tail, giving us daily updates.

[Wassit3]

And I'm sure Pedro Gomez would be hot on his tail, giving us daily updates.

lmao

[Arctic Blast]

With Bonds' trial date approaching, no GM is really eager to have the guy on their roster with a possible conviction coming up. Plus, everyone's scared to possibly be the time stuck with him if/when the smoking gun in all the steroid allegations pops up.

And, beyond that, he's not much of a left fielder anymore, which kinda restricts him to AL teams...and not too many of them are really in the market for a guy with 2 bad knees and a bad attitude. He would have had cachet LAST year, but now that the record chase is over, he's an old outfielder who seems unwilling to admit that he's not what he was even just a few years back.

[beerchaser]

Barry who?

[HoustonGM]

he's an old outfielder who seems unwilling to admit that he's not what he was even just a few years back.

I think he'd admit that. However, he's still one of the best hitters in the league.

[dickay]

Wouldn't it be great if Barry went to Japan and the pitchers are 'too proud' to intentionally walk him as much as they do in America? Then he ends up threatening the Japanese HR single season record and is hated and labeled a cheater on two continents!?!

[CatKnight]

Won't happen. Twice when 'foreigners' have threatened Sadaharu Oh's season HR record the pitchers were ordered to throw around the batter to prevent them from breaking it.

Even if Bonds ends up over there, I don't think the Japanese are going to let him get even close.

[Arctic Blast]

I think Bonds could actually put up some decent numbers as a DH. His knees wouldn't take the pounding of playing the outfield. Thing is, nobody is going to throw big bucks at him, and I wonder if he's willing to play for less.

[BM_MAN]

Said on SportCenter that Tampa are Interested in Him