Spring training will be over in a few weeks and many teams are still trying to figure out who will bat leadoff, or cleanup as well as who will be thier 5th starter. But many have forgotten that the biggest hitter in the game has not yet signed with anyone and any American League team who is in desperate need of a designated hitter should really utilize his services.
The guy is a 7-time NL MVP player as well as the current all-time HR leader (*) and his bat speed is still among the best in baseball and teams that don't have the luxury of signing marque players because they lack the fan base or they can't really persuade superstar players to play for their team should turn to Barry Bonds. It is a win-win situation for teams like the Kansas City Royals, Tampa Bay Rays, or even the Oakland A's.
In addition, a team could sign Barry to a one-year deal which would be a pro-rated contract in which he gets certain bonuses for plate appearances, all-star appearance, MVP votes, etc. Not only would they sell more tickets at their home venue, but any publicity whether good or bad can't really hurt a team like the Royals. And even if the Bonds experiment should fail, they only invested a year in the guy and would the financial flexibility to cut their ties with him without leaving them with a hole in their pockets. Any GM with common sense, should have Barry on speed dial because he is the type of player that can single handedly change the game.
How many players are intentionally walked with the bases loaded so that they don't have to subject their pitchers in trying to get him out? Obviously the guy has regressed in his abilities, but he is still considered an elite player when it comes down to hitting. As for fielding, he is a liability and that was the main reason why the San Francisco Giants had to let him go was because he no longer has that gold glove capability and his arm is well below average. Thus, any team in the National League should only sign him to be a pinch hitter, because his outfielding days are pretty much over.
There will always be fans out there who feel that Barry tainted baseball forever and that the game will never be the same because of the steroid allegations and the George Mitchell report indicating that there were several other players who have admitted in taking HGH or steroids, but baseball has survived the Black Sox scandal as well as the 94'strike. Although some argue that he can be a cancer in the clubhouse, but if he can win you games then sometimes you just have to pick your poison.
