Barry Gone from the Giants?

I found this blurb on another blog dealing baseball trades and rumors (thanks to MLB Rumors):

“After the news that Barry Bonds failed an amphetamine test, word from Giants camp is that they are looking for a way out. An official in the Giants front office suggested a deal for Bonds could blow up. Bonds would have to take a serious pay cut to join any other team, and it is possible that the Rangers might be interested. Barry Bonds could also join the Red Sox with the J.D. Drew contract up in the air. Bonds batted .270 with 26 HR and 77 RBI.”

Well, well, well.

It looks like the Giants want to perhaps sever ties with Barry Bonds. I don’t see it happening, not as much as the two need each other. The Giants want Barry to hit homer 756 in their uniform, and hopefully get a lot of marketing, press and fans to make money. Barry needs a friendly audience, and he’ll get it in San Francisco.

The Giants look to be a middle of the road with many veterans who are mostly likely past their prime, or just about to leave it as. Barry Bonds needs a paycheck, and during the winter meetings almost no other team was interested in him, the attention he’s bring and yes, his baggage.

The relationship between the San Francisco Giants and Barry Bonds was symbiotic and almost in way, harmonious. Barry would hit homers into McCovey Cove, the fans would cheer and the Giants pack the park, plus make money – lots of it. The Giants in the past 15 or so years, have had several winning seasons, playoff appearances, and were in the 2002 World Series, much of it due to the contributions of Barry Bonds.

Even when they were allegations of Barry’s drug use and involvement in the BALCO case in the early stages, club officials conducted and went along business as usual.
Keep in mind, for each landmark passed, the Giants would usher in an elaborate presentation and Barry would soak it in and enjoy it.

I’m sure someone in the Giants organization felt or knew that Barry might have been doing something, but no one stepped in to stop it --- until it got dirty. Real dirty.
So, that is why I am a bit skeptical that the Giants would want to end their relationship with Bonds over a positive amphetamine test.

In the corporate world, no one gets fired over just one small incident, a termination builds up over incident, after incident that’s recorded, or if there’s an axe to grind. This is the case with Bonds.

I think the organization is tired of his tirades, demands, and the negative press that tends to swirl around the team with his presence.

However, the Giants fed into it. They let him get away with misdeeds, put the blinders on with his drug use and as well treated him much differently than others. Is he a superstar, yes, but it’s kind of off base for organization to expect their athlete to change, after you had given him pretty much free reign to do what he pleases for a decade and a half.

For the Red Sox and Rangers, what do you think you’re doing?
I cannot imagine Barry as a Red Sox. No way. He’ll never survive, and they already have a DH in David Ortiz, one of the best in the game. Barry may be thick skinned, for sure, but I don’t see him in Boston. I see the Red Sox and J.D. Drew working things out – eventually.

Barry as a Ranger? Maybe. Tom Hicks likes to spend the bucks and partake in questionable signings. I do think Barry would fit in the park well, and they might have a slot for him. He may be going into a friendly environment as well, but I don’t know about this one. I do feel though if there’s one team who would take the chance, it’s Texas.

In the end, I think San Francisco and Bonds keep their marriage of love, I mean convenience, intact for the good of the team and for Barry. I don’t see the Giants giving up all that revenue, and marketing opportunities just for a positive drug test from Barry Bonds after they have let him do what he pretty much wanted and tolerated for 15 years.

With the amount of money Barry will be paid, and the revenue the team will make, what’s one more year?