Sexson signs with Yankees

[RickD]

I wouldn't bet on that. Bonds is still a wrecking ball at the plate. He can't field a lick and his knees are so bad he can't run worth a ****, but hes still capable of .280/.450/.500 with at least 20 homers.

He was last year. Do you know if he can hit this year?

[ohms_law]

Bonds is far more trouble than he's worth, even at minimum.

I mean it. He's death to any contending team, and I'm not talking about the steroids or questions about character. Well, not directly.

The second he puts on a uniform, that team will be deluged with reporters from every two-bit hole in the ground in this country and probably every other. The questions will be fast, furious and designed to provoke. That team will literally become the Barry Bonds show.

Don't believe me? Take a look at the '78 Yanks. They FINALLY got their act together (obviously) but the first half was chaos due to controversy surrounding manager Billy Martin and outfielder Reggie Jackson. Both spurred it on: Martin couldn't control his mouth, and Jackson kept reminding everyone he was the greatest even when he was demoted to seventh. Only under a new, much quieter manager (Bob Lemon) who simply didn't use Reggie when he was feeling...recalcitrant...did the Yanks get their house in order and take the Series.

Bonds, just by virtue of his (in)famy, would throw clubhouse chemistry out the window. I'm a big fan of stats, Houston, but they really do overlook the human factor. His new team, through no fault of their own (or even Bonds'), would go through the floor.

I don't buy the case for collusion. Collusion would have been the Giants releasing him on August 1, 2007 and THEN no one signing him.

I think every GM in the league's reached the same conclusion I have. Bonds is simply the kiss of death.

Actually, I'm pretty sure you're correct in that this is what MLB GM's fear. The publicity winds, fickle as they are, do seem to be starting to shift slightly though. I doubt that he'll get signed this year, but if he puts his legal issues behind him I'm betting someone might pick him up next season.

[filihok]

Next year he'll be a year older. One year removed from playing baseball. Maybe a year healthier. And as much of a distraction.

I think (hope) we've seen the end of B*nds

[ohms_law]

I wouldn't be so certain of that. There's already been some positive press for him (of the "I miss Bonds" type), recently.

[boomboom]

It is the same Richie Sexson that has a .370OBP since he changed his stance.

THIS IS A GOOD MOVE BY THE YANKS.

It doesn't cost that much money, but the worst part is that Sexson should still be a Mariner, and Vidro should have been the one cut.

[RickD]

THIS IS A GOOD MOVE BY THE YANKS.

BoomBoom the wise!

Go Yanks!

[RedsoxRockies]

[QUOTE=RickD;1120318]I HATE THE YANKEES, GO SOX!QUOTE]

RickD the wise! Glad to see ya come over!

[RickD]

Yeah......right........

[HoustonGM]

I really doubt people are still gonna pitch around Bonds.

That's not the (only) reason why he walks a lot.

Bonds, just by virtue of his (in)famy, would throw clubhouse chemistry out the window.

I think that the whole issue with Bonds throwing clubhouse chemistry into chaos is always a media-created thing. Sure, his team would have to deal with the media outrage, but there's never been any actual real evidence about Bonds being a "clubhouse cancer" that destroys the team, at least none that I've heard from. The Giants did fine with him. Their clubhouse wasn't in disarray. Why would him going to another team destroy them?

I don't buy the case for collusion. Collusion would have been the Giants releasing him on August 1, 2007 and THEN no one signing him.

Why? Wouldn't the same concerns you have now have been present then?

[kingroman]

Sexton isn't trouble? are you kidding me....He threw a darn helmet at one of the Ranger pitchers....poor Gabbard...he's still on the DL... and what's sexton's reward? he gets to join the evil empire....grr...

[Arctic Blast]

I agree with what CatKnight said. It's not so much a concern of Bonds himself causing problems in the locker room, it's the massive media circus that will immediately descend on any team that signs him causing problems. Not even so much the 'How could you guys SIGN such a guy?", but just the everyday crush of reporters that will immediately engulf that franchise. Would YOU want to bring that down on your team, if you're a GM? Sure, you're adding on field talent, but you're also guaranteeing that your players will be driven insane by a ridiculous amount of media attention.

[ohms_law]

Exactly. It's not "clubhouse cancer" or any real noticeable performance effects, but rather the publicity problems that are probably the main concern. Not even Billy Beane is biting...

[WHAK0985]

Like it or not, owners and front office types are selling a product in the end. Obviously winning is (or should be!) priority 1. But making sure it's a good "product" is definitely priority 1a (or 1b to winning's 1a??).

Isn't that the same reason Roger Clemens is out of baseball? I'm sure the Astros would prefer him to some of the scrubs they've had start games this season.

[WHAK0985]

Why would he sign with the Yankees? He couldn't deal with all the booing in Seattle. New York's ten times as worse. Is he gonna go to the bench and cry when he starts getting booed again in New York?

Oh yeah, back to the point of the article.

This is a good deal for both parties. Sexson gets a chance to start fresh somewhere, where he's wanted. And he doesn't care if it's the prorated minimum. He's still getting the 14+ million owed him this season from Seattle. Why not sign somewhere he'll play semi-regularly and have a chance at the postseason?

And for the Yankees? They're having all kinds of injury and roster problems so why not take a cheap chance on a righty with power.

Win-win for both sides, in my mind.

Anyone else notice that the Yankees now have both Mariners first basemen from 2007? (Ben Broussard in AAA and now Sexson)

[asianinvasion]

Anyone else notice that the Yankees now have both Mariners first basemen from 2007? (Ben Broussard in AAA and now Sexson)

Only if they can take Vidro and Cairo too.