Why the Yankees Should Sign Barry Bonds

Things are not going well for the New York Yankees as of late. The Yankees were eliminated from the 2007 ALDS at home by the Cleveland Indians after winning only one playoff game. Alex Rodriguez, the undisputed American League MVP, opted out of his contract. The front office handed Joe Torre a mockery of a deal to stay on as manager of the team which he refused. Torre will manage the Dodgers in 2008. Andy Pettitte declined his option to return to the Yankees next season and may very well retire.

It's clear that the Yankees dynasty is officially dead and buried. One can't help but wonder if the Yankees will be a losing team in the team's final year at Yankee Stadium. There is one player that is available that could help out the Yankees offensively and bring fans out to the ballpark.

The New York Yankees should sign Barry Bonds.

Think about it. What two entities could possibly be better suited for one another than Barry Lamar Bonds and the New York Yankees? Bonds was loved in San Francisco yet hated and booed everywhere else. The Yankees are beloved by millions of New Yorkers yet are hated by practically every other Major League Baseball city. The two were made for each other.

In the last couple of years Barry has been trying to prove that he is now the "kinder, gentler Bonds." What better place for Barry Bonds to do so than New York City? Sure, there would be members of the media that would give Bonds a hard time. Most, however, would embrace the home run king coming to the Bronx, especially if Bonds produced for the Yankees.

Many people will point out that such a move is unlikely since Bonds has expressed his desire to stay out west and be closer to his family. Bonds may want to stay on the west coast but if he is the baseball fan and historian he has claimed to be in the past then becoming a Yankee would be quite the offer for him to consider. I may hate the Yankees but even I can't deny that playing baseball in Yankee pinstripes is the pinnacle for any Major Leaguer.

Statistically this move makes sense for both Bonds and the Yankees. If there's one thing Barry Bonds loves more than baseball and a championship it's Barry Bonds. Yankee Stadium is a great place for Bonds to pad his stats and increase his home run total. Even at this point of his career Bonds could drive home plenty of runs with that short right field at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees benefit offensively from this move as well. After the failed experiment known as Jason Giambi the Yankees could obviously use a lefty with power in the lineup. Bonds would fit in perfectly into the lineup. Plus, the Yankees wouldn't have to worry about Bonds stinking it up in the outfield. They could just start Bonds at DH. This is a great way to keep Bonds happy and healthy as Barry will be able to do the only thing he likes to do on the diamond; hit the ball.

Would Barry Bonds equal a World Series championship for the 2008 Yankees? Probably not. However, Bonds would undoubtedly be a great fit for the Yankees next year. They should put out an offer to Bonds and see how he responds. It would definitely make things interesting in a good way for the Yankees. That is something they are desperate for right now.