Rays consider adding Bonds

Monday, February 25, 2008
Rays consider adding Bonds
Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Rays have had internal discussions about the prospect of pursuing Barry Bonds.

Manager Joe Maddon said Monday he knew "little" about what was going on, but acknowledged some thought has been given to the career home run leader.

"A minor discussion was thrown out there a little bit, and it's really not gone any further than that," Maddon said after Monday's workout at the team's spring training facility.

The St. Petersburg Times reported in Monday's editions that team officials have conferred among themselves about Bonds and other veteran unsigned free agents, such as Kenny Lofton and Mike Piazza. Andrew Friedman, Rays vice president of baseball operations, called the report a "non-story."

Maddon shrugged off a question about how Bonds might fit in with the Rays if the team decided to pursue him and ultimately added him to the roster.

"I don't know this man," he said. "I only know what I read, and I'm very much open to meeting people and drawing my own conclusions about people."

I'd like to see them add him. He could get 3000 hits if someone picks him up. Maybe he could help beat the Yankees and Red Sox?

Pena would have one hell of a year! i'm all for it.

austin