Photos: 2008 Phillies
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Though no club publicly has expressed serious interest in Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader, it was rumored this week that the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks were interested.
In an interview with the Arizona Republic, Diamondbacks gerneral manager Josh Byrnes did not dismiss the possibility of adding Bonds to the roster.
"He and maybe a couple of others are sort of sitting out there," Byrnes said. "I think it's a bit of assessing any player's readiness, then knocking somebody out of the lineup, dollars, etc."
Bonds, convicted in the court of public opinion of steroid use, may be more of an option for the Diamondbacks now that outfielder Eric Byrnes is out with a torn left hamstring.
Arizona has struggled on offense. Going into yesterday afternoon's game at Washington, the squad was tied for 14th with the Nationals in the 16-team National League in batting average (.245) and was 11th in runs (395) and 12th in total bases (1,223).
Bonds, 43, remains a free agent after not being re-signed by the Giants following last season, when he hit .276 with 28 homers in 340 at-bats.
Too many things go against Bonds' ever playing again: the baggage he carries, the surly disposition that makes him a fan un-favorite, and the possibility of his one day winding up behind bars for perjury and obstruction of justice.
Soriano has been on the disabled list since June 12 with a broken left hand. He was one of three outfielders elected to the starting lineup in fan voting, joined by Cubs teammate Kosuke Fukudome and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun.
National League manager Clint Hurdle of the Rockies said yesterday that Holliday would start because he finished second to Braun in player voting, which is used to select the reserves.
Before yesterday's game at Milwaukee, the 28-year-old Holliday, rumored to be on the trading block, was batting .343 with 51 RBIs, 14 home runs, a .569 slugging percentage, and a .425 on-base percentage.
Aaron Rowand, San Fransicso Giants. Before yesterday, the fearless outfielder was batting .298 (94 for 315) with a .457 slugging percentage and .363 on-base percentage. He had 26 doubles and eight homers.
Wes Helms, Florida Marlins. Playing first base in Florida, Helms was hitting .245 (40 for 163) with 25 RBIs going into yesterday. He had a .380 slugging percentage and a .310 on-base percentage.
Would Rowand be better in center field for the Phils than Shane Victorino? Despite Victorino's quickness amd defensive range, we give the nod to the hard-nosed (no pun intended) Rowand.
Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019
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