Time Is Now For a Shot in the Arm

[Swift]

Time is Now For a Shot in the Arm

It’s May 8th. The Marlins have won 2 in a row, 5 out of their last 10, and 18 out of 32. Yes folks, that’s a first place record.

Let me reiterate. It’s May 8th and the Marlins, your Marlins, my Marlins, the same Marlins many left for dead after an opening day trouncing at the hands of the New York Mets are in first place after 32 games.

One more time. 32 games played. First place. Wow.

Since Jeffrey Loria has been the owner, the Marlins have found themselves in first place this late in the season twice (2004, 2005) and never qualified for the playoffs in either of those years. That’s why these Marlins, the great surprise of ’08, must learn from their past mistakes and fortify the team before it’s too late. No, that doesn’t mean Doug Waechter and Burke Badenhop. That means finding a reliable 3-4 type starter to go behind the suddenly formidable top 2 of Scott Olsen and Mark Hendrickson. I’m sure the Marlins would love to promote Chris Volstad at some point this year and hope that he can do his best 2003 Dontrelle Willis impression, but with the Marlins conscientious of service clock time (meaning he’s probably not going to get the call before June 1) it seems that the team still needs to look for immediate help.

David Wells is looking for work. John Patterson too. No, neither are perfect, that’s why they’re unemployed a month into the season, but both represent upgrades to a rotation that is literally patched together 3-5.

Still, the Marlins have spent the better part of the last 3 years hoarding as much young pitching as they can, so I can understand if organizational pride stops the team from making a move for a starter.

There is, however, one major shot in the arm still lurking out there: Barry Bonds.

Josh Willingham has been as good as can be imagined this year, but his balky back is giving him problems already. Watching him tonight merely sit on the bench made my back hurt. There’s no way he can possibly be ready when he is eligible to return on the 13th.

That the Marlins have weathered his injury is a testament to the strength of the bench Larry Beinfest has assembled for this squad, but eventually that bench might be stretched too thin.

Inevitably, Jeremy Hermida will find a way to miss 3 more weeks worth of games, and Willingham may end up back on the disabled list as his back has been a problem two years in a row now.

Signing Bonds and putting him on the “95 game plan” allows the Marlins to keep Willingham fresh, use Luis Gonzalez as injury insurance for Jeremy Hermida and add perhaps the most feared hitter of the last 20 years to a team that already hits its fair share of homeruns.

Even if the Marlins wish to keep Hanley Ramirez in the 3-hole, batting Bonds 4th provides a dream lineup for manager Fredi Gonzalez and otherworldly lineup protection for Ramirez, who is already off to a sensational start. If the Marlins move Hanley back to the leadoff spot, and bat Bonds 3rd behind Jeremy Hermida, that duo may make the pitchers throw upwards of 15 pitches an inning as both are exceptionally patient and skilled 2 strike hitters.

What’s more, Bonds’ representatives have asked the MLBPA to investigate possible collusion against the all-time home-run king, meaning that Bonds’ price tag for the coming season is dropping by the day. Clearly Barry wants to play, and with the Marlins (a team he nearly signed with before 1997) he comes to the one market that may not present a media maelstrom.

So how about it, Marlins? Take a risk, roll the dice, get that shot in the arm that will soon be sending shots over the right-field wall.

[Fritz]

I'm a big advocate of Bonds. I wish our FO had the sack to sign the guy. Pity we won't.

[Ramp]

definitely agree on Bonds.... I mean seriously.... will it make people hate our team more? atleast we would be relevant nationally too

as for Patterson, he's with the Rangers I believe (still wouldn't want him)

[Daft]

With the history between Loria and Bonds, is it really that big of a stretch that the Marlins sign him?

I would be very suprised if there have not been any talks between Loria/Beinfest and Bonds' camp.

Good read Swift.

[Hugg]

I'm all for it. Don't think it'll happen, but I can hope.

For what it's worth, Barry's agent says no team has made him 1 single offer since he filed for FA.

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by Hugg I'm all for it. Don't think it'll happen, but I can hope. For what it's worth, Barry's agent says no team has made him 1 single offer since he filed for FA.

just as a baseball fan, that annoys me to such a high level and yet Frank Thomas gets scooped up within hours/days of being a FA

but I'm sure the Tigers are/were very happy with the likes of Jacque Vaughn and the Indiana are/were happy with Jason Michaels

the man had a 1.045ops last year.... simply amazing

[!NICK!]

Originally Posted by Ramp but I'm sure the Tigers are/were very happy with the likes of Jacque Vaughn and the Indiana are/were happy with Jason Michaels

You ok Ramp?

[FishFanInPA]

do it....get Barry Bonds and i'll fly down to games.

[McLevin]

Originally Posted by FishFanInPA do it....get Barry Bonds and i'll fly down to games.

And that's another thing. Love or hate the guy...people are going to show up.

[Ramp]

Originally Posted by !NICK! You ok Ramp?

haha... thats what I get for watching First Take when I post

that should read Jacque Jones and Indians

*idiot*

[St. Jimmy]

So besides the distraction issue.

Bonds is going to sign with a team to play nearly everyday

What happens when Willingham is healthy? Does Fredi make him a much better version of Alfredo Amezaga and play him at first, third and catcher just to keep his production on the line-up? With his back issues, putting him at catcher and maybe even third is not a good idea.

Does Beinfest trade Willingham/Jacobs for a starter who will probably not make much of a difference down the stretch? FTR, I'm against trading either guy to make a room for Bonds/an average starting pitcher. If either must be dealt a prospect/centerfielder must be coming back on the other end.

I'm gonna have to pass on Bonds. The shit he's dragging behind him will adversely affect what these guys have going. That and we really don't have the room w/o benching Hammer and Jake while they're healthy.



I'm glad Bonds is yet to receive an offer. He's earned it.

[Ramp]

Well Bonds doesn't need to play everyday (128 games avg his last 2 seasons) and we all know that Hammer and Jake are always injury prone. One or both is probably going to hit the DL again (or atleast miss 5-6-7 games at some point in a row).

Most of the things I have read and heard (from guys not named Jeff Kent) is that Barry is a very good teammate and is willing to teach as well. Can you imagine Bonds talking to Jacobs about his swing? That's a win within itself. Adding him strengthens the bench as well.

But yea, you are on the anti-Barry side so it's pretty much impossible to change your mind (not that I am trying to) and I don't think his baggage will bring down this team as much as some think.

Oh yea, it would also be nice to be talked about nationally as if we are an actual major league team. And we'll get more fans out to the ballpark... I think

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Ramp Well Bonds doesn't need to play everyday (128 games avg his last 2 seasons) and we all know that Hammer and Jake are always injury prone. One or both is probably going to hit the DL again (or atleast miss 5-6-7 games at some point in a row). Most of the things I have read and heard (from guys not named Jeff Kent) is that Barry is a very good teammate and is willing to teach as well. Can you imagine Bonds talking to Jacobs about his swing? That's a win within itself. Adding him strengthens the bench as well. But yea, you are on the anti-Barry side so it's pretty much impossible to change your mind (not that I am trying to) and I don't think his baggage will bring down this team as much as some think. Oh yea, it would also be nice to be talked about nationally as if we are an actual major league team. And we'll get more fans out to the ballpark... I think

Automatically dilutes/shifts the discussion with lines like that.

I'm curious though, with no spring training and coming in June or July what type of shape the guy would be in and how long he would take to get going.

Also, I'm not sure how much Bonds would care about the Marlins. Some will simply dismiss this and take his production which is fine, but from a selfish fan's perspective I want the players on my team to care about the uniform they put on. I think Bonds is more interested in proving the 'doubters' wrong then accomplishing something with the Marlins.

[Ramp]

I was just saying that Festa and I are on complete opposite ends on the Barry Bonds sitch. Didn't think there was anything more to my line besides that.

I think something you could do with Barry is give him 20 or so games in the minors to get his swing going. If he comes out like gangbusters, maybe even less than 20. I believe I heard he was in great shape so I don't know how much longer than 3 weeks he would need to get going. And besides, he could go up to the plate with a pencil and he'd still walk a few times.

As for Barry not caring about the Marlins, and caring more about proving people wrong. Well, he'd be perfect for this team. Everyone on this team is in that boat of proving people wrong already. Him and Jake have that in common too! Even if Barry could care less about the team, that .920 OPS (at worst, I would think) would be helping the team anyway.

[BeefWillingham]

Im not sure that Bonds has really earned not getting any offers.

And as far as Im concerned, and I know people differ on these kinds of things, I wouldnt really care how much Bonds cares about the jersey he is putting on. I would think there is a much larger amount of players that feel that same way around the league than the opposite.