Posted on 05/07/2008 5:22:21 AM PDT by N. Theknow
Former Giants slugger Barry Bonds has asked the Players Association to consider filing a grievance on his behalf because Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader has been unable to sign a contract as a free agent for the 2008 season. In his behalf, the union has contacted the Commissioner's Office seeking information about why Bonds hasn't even been extended an offer.
"We've raised both general concerns and some player-specific concerns," Michael Weiner, the union's general counsel, said, telling The Associated Press that the only specific concern raised was the case of Bonds. "We have made requests for information. I expect at some point we would sit down with the Commissioner's Office and make a determination whether to proceed with any grievances."
Detailed information about negotiations for Bonds has been turned over to the union.
Bonds, the all-time leader with 762 homers, has declined to retire and says he still wants to play. His agent, Jeff Borris, is actively still seeking a position for him.
Bonds was told by the Giants this past September that his 15-year reign with the team was over and he would not be asked back.
MLB responded to the union that the Commissioner's Office has no reason to believe that there's any collective agreement to keep Bonds from getting a job. He's currently under federal indictment for allegedly lying about his use of performance-enhancing drugs to a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative nearly five years ago.
The indictment, which charged Bonds on four counts of perjury and one of obstruction of justice, was recently vacated, and federal attorneys have told the court that they will re-file it by the next hearing, scheduled for June 6.
"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," Dan Halem, MLB senior vice president and general labor counsel, told The AP. "We are aware of no facts, which would support a collusion claim regarding Bonds or any other free agents."
Bonds hit his 756th home run to pass Hank Aaron into first place on the all-time list this past Aug. 7 at AT&T Park. He played his final game for the Giants there on Sept. 26.
A host of other big-name free agents, including Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza, Kenny Lofton, Roger Clemens and David Wells are also still on the market.
Werner said that the union exams the market every year and then acts accordingly under the auspices the Basic Agreement.
"Every year we look internally into whether the free-agent market operated according to the Basic Agreement," he said. "Not every year do we raise concerns. [This year] we have raised concerns with the Commissioner's Office, but it's still in the investigative phase."
Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
“why Bonds hasn’t even been extended an offer”
Maybe nobody wants him. Who says they have to renew any players’ contracts?
My backyard needs mowing.
A .480 OBP (Bonds last year) and 28 HRs are needed badly on a lot of teams.
So far this season, only 8 players have an OBP over .400 (led by the Yankee’s Matsui at .430).
A .480 OBP and poison in the clubhouse. Most clubs don’t want to screw up team chemistry with this guy.
Maybe there's a lesson to be learned there.
Let’s get Congress in on the act. They don’t have much to do. I’m envisioning two specific actions they can take that will solve the problem, government-style.
1. Pick a team and force it to hire Bonds.
2. Raise taxes.
Idiots can't understand that no team wants an arrogant, damaged-goods cry-baby who will probably be serving some federal prison time in the near future on their roster.
Albert Belle, Gary Sheffield, Julio Lugo, Roberto Alomar, Dave Kingman, Kenny Rogers, Reggie Jackson, Rickey Henderson all had on and off the field issues, but always found work. None had federal indictments hanging over their head, though.
Bonds can still contribute, but, wasn’t he paid $15 million last year? If he takes a huge pay cut, somebody would make him an offer. But face it, he’s 43 and his career is almost over.
I can’t find the source, but I had read somewhere that he’d sign for a few million, if that much. I think he just wants to pad some more homers on the career mark before he has to hang the cleats up for good.
I’m rather ambivalent about Bonds - never liked him, but never hated him, either. I’m just annoyed that my Royals are having some terrific pitching performances, but no offense to back them up. We’re paying 11 or 12 million for Jose Guillen, who IS trying, but not getting the job done.
Clemens was paid an exorbitant amount with a lot of perks to sign with both Astros and Yankees.
However, he now is no bargain with the extra scandal-laden baggage and diminished abilities.
While Bonds still seemed to be capable as a hitter, only an AL club might take a chance on him as a DH.
Doubtful any AL contender would take a shot, unless out of total desperation to make the playoffs, on someone with Bonds' baggage and switch from NL to AL.
But, come June some GM, somewhere will start thinking...."What if?"
And if Bonds escapes from being re-indicted, that GM might take the risk.
Now, who might it be?
Yankees? Bosox?
Both have LH hitting DH's.
Angels? Twins? Tigers? Indians?
Who might take a risk in the NL?
Mets? Phillies? Cubs?
Whoever it is will be looking for the push that an extra 20+ or so runs, SF's, hits will bring.
Wonder if Vegas has a line on Bonds being signed by someone?
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