Art Spander of InsideBayArea.com writes an open letter today to Athletics GM Billy Beane urging the savvy executive to sign free agent slugger Barry Bonds* in an effort to sustain the early success of the A’s through the summer.  Putting the baggage of Bonds* aside, Spander’s argument is semi-convincing.  Here are some highlights:

• Spander reminds Beane that the A’s have had prior interest in Bonds*,citing assistant GM David Forst, who once said, ”Barry is one of the guys out there who we’re considering … he’s probably the best player in the game the last 15 years. I think anybody would be interested in having his bat in the lineup.”
• Bonds* can make some cheddar for the A’s, writes Spander.  “The man still can put balls in the seats and no less importantly put butts in the seats. As opposed to you putting a tarp over them.  The A’s have to stop being a secret and start becoming an attraction.” 
• Signing Bonds* would give the A’s national exposure, and would allow them to grow out of the “second fiddle” role in the Bay area - especially with the Giants being so awful this year.
• So what if Frank Thomas is already the DH, says Spander.  “How about Bonds and Frank Thomas 3-4 in the batting order?  Defense might be a worry, but you and Bob Geren would figure out something.”
• Legal problems?  Don’t fret, according to Spander.  “The federal government is having more difficulty building a perjury case against Barry than it is in keeping gasoline affordable. If Barry ever comes to trial, and that’s doubtful, it won’t be for at least a year.”

So we pose the question to you?  Assuming the price to sign Bonds* isn’t astronomical, should Billy Beane and the A’s pull the trigger?

Filed under: Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants