Whats Wrong With Barry?

The buzz during the All-Star break had been that the Yankees were considering Barry Bonds, in the event Hideki Matsui needs season ending knee surgery.

Today, per this article on Fox Sports on MSN the Yankees and Richie Sexson have reached a deal. Sexson had a bad year last year and wasn't doing much better this year. Barry Bonds was one of the game's top hitters last year.

Is there really a conspiracy against Barry? If you had asked me that last week, I'd have laughed in your face and told you "No, there's just no one that feels he's worth a roster spot right now." But seeing the Yankees sign Sexson and ignore Bonds makes me really wonder. Maybe Jeff Boras (Bond's Agent) is correct, and there is a conspiracy to keep him out of baseball.

Barry & A-Rod

As I noted in my previous post, Barry Bonds hit his 755th home run last night. What I didn't comment on was Alex Rodriguez hitting his 500th home run earlier in the day. I find that interesting in that A-Rod is picked by many to be the one who surpasses Bonds for the career home run title. I expect that will happen. A-Rod was the youngest to ever reach 500 home runs. Assuming he hits another 25 this year (about his current pace), and plays 8 more years averaging 35 per year, that would give him 795 home runs. Would that be enough? I think so. Barry Bonds has hit 21 this year, or roughly 1 every 5 games. With 57 games left, that projects out to 11 more, or 766 for his career. I may be a little higher once the pressure of chasing the record is gone, but I don't think it would be much higher. Will Barry reach 800? I doubt it. He would have to suddenly get on a home run hot streak. Pitchers have to pitch to him, not around him. Finally, he would most likely have to play another year, something I don't see happening. Not that Barry may not want to play another year and pad his record (and seek 3000 hits), but I don't see any team willing to take him, and his baggage, on.