Filed under: MLB Rumors

By now it’s old news that Barry Bonds probably won’t suit up ever again despite all evidence pointing to him still being one of the most dangerous hitters alive. I know he’d be a huge public relations nightmare, but I’m still surprised there’s not one GM out of 30 who thought Bonds might be worth the risk.

The player’s union thinks it’s odd, too, and for the past month it’s been investigating to see if there’s any evidence of collusion. From ESPN’s Buster Olney:

“The union notified us that it was investigating potential collusion regarding Barry Bonds and asked for information, and we told them that there was absolutely no collusion with respect to Barry Bonds or any other free agent,” said Dan Halem, MLB senior vice president and general labor counsel. […]

Jeff Borris, the agent for Bonds, said, “No team has made me an offer for any amount at any time since Barry became a free agent.” Borris added that “Barry continues to work out,” but when asked about his client’s prospects for this season, he said, “I’m not optimistic that he will be in a major league uniform in 2008.”

Really? Not a single call? He’d be a headache, sure, but surely there’s a point somewhere on the cost-benefit scale where it worth offering a cut-rate contract just to see if he bites. If he signed with a contending team, he’d make them that much more dangerous. If he signed with a perennial loser, at least he’d be a draw at the gate, even if people were only buying tickets to boo him.

I don’t think anyone in the commissioner’s office is stupid enough to leave a paper trail, but I don’t doubt for a second that the owners were strongly encouraged by one of Bud Selig’s lieutenants to give Bonds the cold shoulder.

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