Beyond the Box Score: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:



Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Backing the Pack for NC State Fans!


Who Needs a DH?

If you would've asked a baseball fan in the late 1990's for their top 20 players I'm almost positive Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza, and Sammy Sosa would've popped up. As we stand today none of them have a job, and only the former two seem to be in any sort of demand, so where could The Big Hurt and Bonds possibly land? Let's take a look at some possible DH jobs.

Toronto: Obviously Thomas is no longer an option, but Bonds might be. America's most hated may become Canada's most loved if Adam Lind fails to build upon his hot start in Syracuse (.360/.411/.640). J.P. Ricciardi hasn't seemed to care what critics think of his work during his tenure -- remember the "White Jays" incident? -- so a PR hit wouldn't be too much of a concern for the charging Jays.

Detroit: Recent reports suggests the Tigers aren't too interested in signing Bonds despite manager Jim Leyland's past with the slugger. Thomas however could be a more intriguing option. Signing Thomas for the required 320k also may bump Jacque Jones out the lineup, a plus for the ever slumping 33 year old with the OPS+ of 11.

Tampa Bay: Eric Hinske and Jonny Gomes are hitting well, and they recently added Dan Johnson, plus Cliff Floyd could return by June, so the question is where would they fit all the pieces? A Bonds signing has been rumored since the off-season, but clubhouse atmosphere was thrown around for a team with a bunch of youngsters and a few veterans sprinkled in. Thomas doesn't have the rep of Bonds (either with the bat or in the clubhouse) but he does has some murmurs of being a malcontent at times.

Seattle: Even if Thomas is done -- his line drive percentage is within career low 12% territory and a recent slow starter -- he's probably better than Jose Vidro, in fact Jay Buhner could probably outhit Vidro right now. It's a bit peculiar that the Mariners would make the Erik Bedard move as a way of saying "Hey, don't forget about us as contenders!" Only to keep Vidro as their designated hitter with the best option on the open market.

Texas: They just called up German Duran and with Frank Catalanotto amongst others sitting around they'd have to create some space. A lineup with Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, a resurgent Hank Blalock, Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Bonds/Thomas is nothing to blink at. They still wouldn't make the playoffs barring some pitching miracles, but a fun offense none the less.


Obviously there's no guarantee any of the teams makes a move for either however it's a fun exercise none the less.

0 recs | Comment 0 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

We use numbers and stuff.
Community Guidelines
Start posting on Beyond the Box Score »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

P1_iannetta_small
Matt Herges: The reason we look at peripherals
Small
SLG and Speed
Small
Interleague Attendance Nonsense
Limes_125_small
A Note About Becoming a BtB Author: Contributing to the Community Helps
Small
Is Adrian Beltre underrated...?
Limes_125_small
How Do You Like the New Daily Link Roundup Posts?
Stlouiscardinals_small
Depth Charts Help
Zorilla_small
How Do You Measure a Pitching Coach?
Limes_125_small
Looking For SQL & Tech Geek Help For Collaborative Projects
Small
When do MLBers get paid...?

Post_icon New FanPost All FanPosts Carrot-mini

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

There's your human element.  Why, when the technology is readily available, are humans still calling balls and strikes?
Fire Jim Leyland: Fu-Te Ni Follow Up; Concern Over Big Three?
Rany Gets Banned By the Royals
Contract Retrospective: Vernon Wells' 7-year, $126 Million Contract
The Rockets are innovative
Flip Flop Fly Ball
Yanks Considered Trading Rivera For Wells In '95: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
Bullpen Usuage Charts for Last 5 days
MiLB Game of the Week
Drive Mechanics Looks at Chris Perez's Mechanics and Pitch F/X numbers

Post_icon New FanShot All FanShots Carrot-mini

Most Commented

Subscribe to BtB via Email

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

BtB Goes Social

BtB on Facebook

BtB_Sky on Twitter


Managers

Mos-def-the-ecstatic_small R.J. Anderson

Limes_125_small Sky Kalkman

Editors

Rawlings_baseball_bigger_small Dan Turkenkopf

Face_small Harry Pavlidis

770insig_small Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal)

Rickstache_small erik

Authors

Jinaz-reds-avatar_small JinAZ

Hms_surprise_small Graham

Wisc19cropped2_small jhmoore

Raysring1_small Tommy Rancel

E52205a2_small tbsmkdn

Official Partner of Yahoo! Sports