I think this would be a really bad move by Arizona if they were to sign Bonds. The media strain alone would hurt the team chemistry.
Byrnes likely done; Bonds to AZ?
WASHINGTON - With all signs pointing toward Eric Byrnes' season being over, the Diamondbacks have been exploring alternatives outside their organization that could provide a lift to their underperforming offense.
One name that apparently has been discussed: none other than all-time home run leader Barry Bonds.
When asked if Bonds - a free agent who has not drawn interest from teams after not being welcomed back this season by San Francisco - could be a possibility, Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes didn't shoot it down.
"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.
"I don't want to talk about him specifically but, believe me, we've considered a lot of options. There is sort of no one obvious option right now, but there are a lot of considerations."
When healthy, Bonds remained a productive hitter last season, with 28 homers and a .480 on-base percentage in 340 at-bats. But bringing aboard a player with Bonds' baggage - convicted in the court of public opinion as a steroids user and facing counts of perjury and obstruction of justice - would be highly controversial.
Moreover, it would seem to fly in the face of previous comments and views held by Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick, who wanted to implement a "code of conduct" for Diamondbacks players after former reliever Jason Grimsley was linked to performance-enhancing drugs two years ago.
Byrnes done?
Eric Byrnes is scheduled to undergo another MRI exam on his torn left hamstring. But even if he opts not to undergo surgery, his season appears to be over.
"I think either way," Josh Byrnes said, "that's probably the case."
Eric Byrnes already has sought three opinions on the hamstring, which he reinjured trying to steal third base June 30.
Surgery would involve a four- to six-month recovery process.
Still waiting
The Diamondbacks still have yet to reach an agreement with first-round draft pick Daniel Schlereth, a left-handed reliever out of Arizona.
"We've agreed on a lot of things but haven't quite got all the way," Josh Byrnes said.
Medical issues do not appear to be the holdup, nor is the demand for a major-league contract. That the deal is taking a while is a surprise, considering he has a chance to be a fast mover in the farm system.
"I do think for some players the first summer is not that necessary, and in fact it's usually good to rest him," Byrnes said. "I think in this case a summer of pitching could be good, because he's on, potentially, an accelerated time line. There's a bit more of a light at the end of the tunnel in his development than for most guys."
Short hops
After a consultation Monday with specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum, right-hander Edgar Gonzalez will try to rehabilitate his elbow injury without surgery. He won't play catch again for four to six weeks.
• Catcher Chris Snyder also visited a specialist Monday and was told that his injury is healing properly. Snyder initially was diagnosed with a left testicular fracture, but he said tests showed it was not a fracture but rather "badly bruised." He hopes to return from the disabled list immediately after the All-Star break.
Byrnes likely done; Bonds to AZ?
WASHINGTON - With all signs pointing toward Eric Byrnes' season being over, the Diamondbacks have been exploring alternatives outside their organization that could provide a lift to their underperforming offense.
One name that apparently has been discussed: none other than all-time home run leader Barry Bonds.
When asked if Bonds - a free agent who has not drawn interest from teams after not being welcomed back this season by San Francisco - could be a possibility, Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes didn't shoot it down.
"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.
"I don't want to talk about him specifically but, believe me, we've considered a lot of options. There is sort of no one obvious option right now, but there are a lot of considerations."
When healthy, Bonds remained a productive hitter last season, with 28 homers and a .480 on-base percentage in 340 at-bats. But bringing aboard a player with Bonds' baggage - convicted in the court of public opinion as a steroids user and facing counts of perjury and obstruction of justice - would be highly controversial.
Moreover, it would seem to fly in the face of previous comments and views held by Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick, who wanted to implement a "code of conduct" for Diamondbacks players after former reliever Jason Grimsley was linked to performance-enhancing drugs two years ago.
Byrnes done?
Eric Byrnes is scheduled to undergo another MRI exam on his torn left hamstring. But even if he opts not to undergo surgery, his season appears to be over.
"I think either way," Josh Byrnes said, "that's probably the case."
Eric Byrnes already has sought three opinions on the hamstring, which he reinjured trying to steal third base June 30.
Surgery would involve a four- to six-month recovery process.
Still waiting
The Diamondbacks still have yet to reach an agreement with first-round draft pick Daniel Schlereth, a left-handed reliever out of Arizona.
"We've agreed on a lot of things but haven't quite got all the way," Josh Byrnes said.
Medical issues do not appear to be the holdup, nor is the demand for a major-league contract. That the deal is taking a while is a surprise, considering he has a chance to be a fast mover in the farm system.
"I do think for some players the first summer is not that necessary, and in fact it's usually good to rest him," Byrnes said. "I think in this case a summer of pitching could be good, because he's on, potentially, an accelerated time line. There's a bit more of a light at the end of the tunnel in his development than for most guys."
Short hops
After a consultation Monday with specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum, right-hander Edgar Gonzalez will try to rehabilitate his elbow injury without surgery. He won't play catch again for four to six weeks.
• Catcher Chris Snyder also visited a specialist Monday and was told that his injury is healing properly. Snyder initially was diagnosed with a left testicular fracture, but he said tests showed it was not a fracture but rather "badly bruised." He hopes to return from the disabled list immediately after the All-Star break.