The Toronto Blue Jays have exercised the $2.5-million option on catcher Rod Barajas for 2009.  In 104 games with the Jays in ‘08, Barajas hit .249 with 11 home runs and 49 RBI. 

The 33-year-old Barajas started the season as the back-up to Gregg Zaun but overtook Zaun for the starting job as the season progressed.  Zaun, also a free agent, has stated interest in returning to the club as a back-up but made $3.75-million in ‘08.  In order for Zaun to stay in Toronto, it is expected that the veteran would be required to accept a large pay cut.

Other options include minor league catchers Curtis Thigpen and Brian Jeroloman.  Long-term, the Blue Jays are projecting minor leaguer J.P. Arencibia as the team’s full-time catcher in 2010.  Arencibia, 22, is hitting .286 with four home runs and 17 RBI in 16 Arizona Fall League games.

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The Chicago Cubs declined back-up catcher Henry Blanco’s $3-million option for 2009 and instead paid the buy-out of $300,000.  The team plans to pursue Blanco at a lower price and are hopeful they will be able to re-sign him, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

The 38-year-old Blanco hit .292 with three home runs in 58 games as the second option behind rookie Geovany Soto.  Blanco made $2.8-million in ‘08 in his 11th Major League season and fourth with the Cubs.  In limited action, Blanco was effective gunning down runners behind the plate with 10 out of 22 (45.4%) caught. 

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The Milwaukee Brewers declined their 2009 option for $3.4-million on Craig Counsell and instead opted to pay the $400,000 buy out.  The 38-year-old Counsell is now a free agent.

Counsell hit .226 in 110 games and made starts at third base, shortstop and second base.  Counsell also pinch hit 38 times and went 6-for-33 (.182) with three RBI.

Counsell completed his 13th season in ‘08 and his second as a Brewer.

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The Oakland Athletics declined pitcher Alan Embree’s option for ‘09 making the lefty a free agent.  The $3-million option was too much for the Athletics to tack on for the reliever who will be 39 in January.

Embree is a 15-year veteran who spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees in addition to the Athletics.  In ‘08, Embree made 70 appearances and went 2-5 with a 4.96 ERA and 1.44 WHIP.  He has made at least 55 appearances in the last 12 seasons and was a member of the World Champion Red Sox in ‘04. 

A left-handed reliever with considerable postseason experience — 31 appearances with a 1-0 record and 1.66 ERA — Embree is expected to draw considerable interest in the free agent market.

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The St. Louis Cardinals re-signed catcher Jason LaRue on Friday.  The 35-year-old LaRue was brought back into the fold for one year at $950,000, according to The Associated Press and the signing came just one day after LaRue filed for free agency.

LaRue will back-up catcher Yadier Molina as he did in 2008.  In 61 games, LaRue hit .213 with a .644 OPS but was the victim of a rough start possibly due to a knee injury. 

Ah … back into the minefield.

I am going to expand a bit more on my previous post on this subject. Be forewarned, this is long so bring a drink and be sure to use the loo before you sit down.

Writing about Barry Bonds has certainly been an education. Before I go any further, I will preface my comments with the following statement:

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

I will repeat this as a mantra throughout the column to reduce the inevitable invective I will receive. As stated earlier, writing about Bonds has been a learning experience and one thing that came through crystal clear is that it doesn’t matter how often one writes that it isn’t about Bonds, it’s about collusion or that I am not a fan of the man, unless your article isn’t dripping with anti-Bonds venom I will be asked to get my lips detached from his buttocks or some other associations from those respective parts of the human anatomy.

Whether it was steroids, the home run record or collusion, I have approached the topic of Barry Lamar Bonds from a different standpoint than most. When I examine any topic, I’m a big believer in looking back into history. You see, I feel very strongly from studying history that humanity never really changes. When you look back into various periods you find common themes.

For example: in ancient times the three great pastimes were wine, women and song; today it’s sex, drugs and rock and roll. For all intents and purposes they are the same thing–being occupied with the opposite sex, mood-altering substances and music.

The word pornography literally means: writing of prostitutes; up, folks enjoyed lurid reading material back in the day as well and today it’s “When attractive homo sapiens procreate–tonight on FOX!”

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

When we look at baseball, it’s easy to find examples of the older generation of players bemoaning the current crop’s obsession with money and not love of the game. As Don Fehr once memorably opined “You go through The Sporting News for the last 100 years, and you will find two things are always true. You never have enough pitching, and nobody ever made money.”

So, when I examine the issues surrounding Bonds I ask myself the following questions: Is this the first time this has happened? What were the circumstances at the time it occurred? What was the general reaction when it happened? What were the reasons behind the reaction? Has something similar occurred and if so, how often? Is there a predictable pattern? Should we be surprised that it happened or were the signs present leading up to the event the same as they were when it initially occurred?

When it comes time to write about it, I discover that it is not a unique situation and that it will most likely happen again.

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

For instance, today Ted Williams is remembered fondly by baseball fans, Roger Maris is considered a tragic, sympathetic figure and in both cases, the media is thought of as the villain in both narratives for portraying them much the same way as Bonds is depicted today. Were you to ask the majority of fans how they would have dealt with the viciousness of the press and the fans that took their cues from them back then, I think the great majority would vehemently assert that they–being fair-minded people after all–that they would make up their own minds about them thank-you-very-much and not follow the crowd like an addle-brained sheep.

Fair enough.

Now, what data would they use to come to their independently minded conclusion? What is available to them?

The exact thing that is available today–the press.

O.K. if you think that is a little unfair, after all, we have the perspective of history and have no doubt learned from the mistakes of our predecessors–let’s try another approach:

Let’s look at a contemporary modern player steeped in controversy that is ripped apart by the press on a regular basis and what sort of reaction to we get to saaay … Barry Lamar Bonds? Do folks take what the media says about him and take their cues from that or do they make up their own minds?

Most would assert they make up their own minds.

Again–fair enough; now then: where did you get your information from which you came to your conclusion?

We know the answer to that one.

Again. We see how history repeats itself.

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

Why do folks hate Bonds so much? Again, the contradictions that make us human again manifest themselves. A lot of folks have written to remind me their reason is because “he’s a cheater”–obviously they must hate cheating…that’s fine. However, some do not hate the cheating of collusion because if indeed it turns out MLB has colluded against him they’re not bothered by it since Bonds is “getting his.”

I’m beginning to discern something in my feedback. I do not think a lot of fans are aware of the history of collusion as it pertains to MLB. I guess it shouldn’t be surprising since many people’s fandom involves the game itself and may not be familiar with the history–yet alone it’s political and economic history.

As a history buff I know where baseball’s antitrust exemption originated, I know about George Toolson and Danny Gardella. I studied Flood vs. Kuhn and know what stare decisis is, I can explain what Messersmith/McNally was about and who Marvin Miller, John Gaherin, Peter Seitz, Tom Roberts, George Nicolau etc. are and their impact on the sport.

I’m not bragging–it’s my job to know these things. However, I’m guessing a lot of fans don’t know what transpired from 1985-88 and how it impacted the sport both then and today. All they know is that Barry Bonds is out of baseball, they hate Barry Bonds and whatever collusion is, it cannot be a bad thing since it got Barry Bonds out of baseball and anybody who has a problem with collusion–which got Barry Bonds out of baseball it should be noted–is clearly lacking in any kind of moral fibre because Barry Bonds is a big-headed, nasty cheat and the worst human being ever to play major league baseball which includes, as we stated last week…

…people abuse their spouses, utter death threats to children they fathered, commit rape and sexual assault, are vocal bigots, abuse and deal drugs, risk (and harm) innocent people’s lives by drinking and driving, commit various felonies etc.

Still others hate Bonds because he’s surly, rude and isn’t nice to people yet I have lost count of people writing to remind me of this vile quality Bonds possesses while calling me every name in the book while accusing me of every moral failure known to man. They hate Bonds for treating people he barely knows poorly whether media or fans (so they have been told) yet have no problem imitating him when sharing their opinion of something I’ve written (about him).

It appears that the qualities about Bonds they despise so much aren’t really a problem in a different setting being it a situation where Bonds is suffering or by doing a pretty good imitation of what he allegedly does with someone with whom they disagree.

I am not a fan of Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

How many of Bonds’ “crimes” are unique to him:

(1) He’s a self-centered jerk.

They said the same thing about a lot of players including Maris, Williams, Reggie Jackson, Dick Allen, Manny Ramirez (need I go on?)

(2) He cheated by taking steroids or HGH.

So have (some allegedly) Ken Caminiti, Bobby Estalella, Jason Giambi, Jeremy Giambi, Armando Rios, Benito Santiago,
Gary Sheffield, Jose Canseco, Tom House, Wally Joyner, Jim Leyritz, Paxton Crawford, Jason Grimsley, David Segui, John Rocker, Paul Byrd, Alex Sanchez, Jorge Piedra, Agustin Montero, Jamal Strong, Juan Rincon, Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Palmeiro, Ryan Franklin, Mike Morse, Carlos Almanzar, Felix Heredia, Matt Lawton, Yusaku Iriki, Guillermo Mota, Juan Salas, Dan Sefarini, Eliezer Alfonzo, Humberto Cota, Mark McGwire, Manny Alexander, Chuck Finley, Marvin Bernard, Randy Velarde, Wilson Alvarez, Bret Boone, Ozzie Canseco, Juan Gonzalez, Dave Martinez, Ivan Rodriguez, Tony Saunders, Miguel Tejada, Lenny Dykstra, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Brian Roberts, Jay Gibbons, Gary Matthews Jr., David Bell, Darren Holmes, Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus, Scott Schoeneweis, Matt Williams, Jose Guillen, Ismael Valdez, Terrmel Sledge, Derek Turnbow, Dave Hollins, Rico Brogna, Ricky Bones, Alex Cabrera, Larry Bigbie, Jack Cust, Tim Laker, Todd Hundley, Hal Morris, Mark Carreon, Matt Franco, Rondell White, Chuck Knoblauch, Gregg Zaun, David Justice, F.P. Santangelo, Glenallen Hill, Mo Vaughn, Denny Neagle, Ron Villone, Chris Donnels, Todd Williams, Phil Hiatt, Todd Pratt, Kevin Young, Mike Lansing, Cody McKay, Kent Merker, Adam Piatt, Jason Christiansen, Mike Stanton, Stephen Randolph, Paul Lo Duca, Adam Riggs, Bart Miadich, Fernando Vina, Kevin Brown, Eric Gagne, Mike Bell, Matt Herges, Gary Bennett Jr., Jim Parque, Brendan Donnelly, Chad Allen, Jeff Williams, Howie Clark, Bernie Castro, Nook Logan, Damian Moss, Robert Machado, Clay Hensley, Francisco Cordova, Jon Nunnally, Tom Evans, Grant Roberts, Ricardo Rodriguez, Jonathan Herrera, Luis Ugueto, Wilson Delgado, Ramon A. Castro, Matt Whiteside, Randy Ruiz, Abraham Nunez and Nerio Rodriguez. (Source: Baseball’s Steroid Era )

These are the ones we know about–make no mistake there are many others.

I am not a Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

The bottom line is, when I look at Barry Lamar Bonds, the only thing I see unique about him in the annals of baseball is his home run total. His personality, his “crimes” (both on and off the field) have been duplicated too many times to count. The record books that folks hold so sacrosanct were tainted with drug use long before anybody heard about BALCO, Barry, big heads and Barcoloungers.

I guess one of the biggest reasons I’m not a ‘punish with extreme prejudice’ those who have used steroids by expunging, asterisking or altering their stats is that the record book has been tainted by illegal drugs for quite some time now.

A quick caveat: there is a large difference between what amphetamines will do for an athlete’s performance as opposed to anabolic steroids. Regardless, both have had an impact on baseball’s ledgers. Steroids allow a player to exceed his normal output by increasing his ability to perform. While debate rages regarding amphetamines’ effect on performance there is no debate that they do have one undeniable function—they get a player into the lineup when they otherwise may have been unable to play.

For example, since 1950 (an arbitrary cutoff but adequate enough to make the point) there are 11 players no higher than 150 hits north of 3000. There are 10 batters no higher than 50 HR beyond the 500-level. Finally, there are six pitchers 25 wins (but no higher) above 300 wins—all since 1950.

It takes about a season’s worth of at bats to garner 150 hits and a season-and-a-half for 50 HR (and 25 wins). Don’t forget, we’re talking elite talent here. Stiffs do not get close to these milestones. The thing is, players that are in this neighbourhood have careers in the 20-season range.

Over the course of 20 years of 154-162 game seasons–how many times do you think players required ‘a little help’ to get into the lineup? Let’s focus on position players for a moment. Suppose they ‘need a boost’ 35 times a year because of travel, partying, illness etc.—how many games does that translate into over a 20 season career? Even a conservative estimate as this translates into 700 games that might otherwise have not been played or played at a sub-optimal level.

Seven hundred games are well over four ‘iron man’ seasons (played in every game) assuming a 162 game schedule. A pitcher amped up five times per season would translate into 100 starts in a 20-year career.

How many extra hits, home runs, or wins could be attributed to the restorative effects of amphetamines that allowed players to get into games or play them at close to their rested level? There is more than enough to put a significant dent in the 3000 hit club, the 500 HR club, and the 300 win club—generally considered to be Cooperstown territory.

I think it’s safe to assume that absent amphetamines both the record book and the Hall of Fame would look quite a bit different than it does today. So, for those that wish to make a notation in the records that these milestones were due to anabolic steroids then it’s only fair to do likewise for players linked with amphetamines. Their effect is not as dramatic as those created by steroids, but it is there—a few hits here, a couple of wins there, and a handful of home runs smattered throughout add up over a career in the two decades range.

I am not a Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

Toss in the fact that the press has been blasting the “pampered, greedy, selfish” players ever since they started to play for pay and people take their cues from that and what do we have?

As Yogi Berra once opined “It’s déjà vu all over again” or as was stated 3000 years before that:

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. ”–Ecclesiastes 1:9-10

I guess that’s why I don’t join the chorus of so many in the media and rip on Bonds or what he did; there have been players like him in the past and there will be more like him in the future. There will always be Barry Bonds, there will be those in the media that will tell us how evil they are and the fans will join in the hate and history repeats itself.

That is the my vantage point whenever I wrote about Bonds be it regarding steroids, home runs or collusion.

Best Regards

John

P.S. I am not a Barry Bonds nor am I writing in support of him.

…Can you believe that the Boston Red Sox are already favorites to win the 2009 World Series? Yup, this according to BetOnline.com. Shortly after the Phillies won the World Series, BetOnline.com put up the odds for next years series, with the Sox leading the pack with 3 to 1 odds. [Yahoo]

…The Tampa Bay Rays are hoping to get talks underway with right fielder Rocco Baldelli. Now that everyone understands that the reason he was injured so much was due in part to his mitochondrial disorder. Here’s what Baldelli had to say about staying in Tampa. [Yahoo]

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Rocco on and off the field,” Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Thursday.

“We do have a special relationship. To be a part of what he’s gone through, and see him at the lowest of moments, I think, has created that personal relationship. I’m sure we’ll talk in the next few days.”

…Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald is reporting that Ken Griffey Junior would like to play at least three more seasons. Yesterday the Chicago White Sox didn’t pick up Griffey’s option there by making him a free agent. Gregor goes on to say, that Seattle would be the best place for an aging Griffey to finish up his career. [Daily Herald]

…According to Matt Cerrone of Mets blog the New York Mets have picked up first baseman Carlos Delgado’s contract option worth $12 million. Cerrone goes on to say that just because the option was picked up, doesn’t mean that Delgado will be at first base when the Mets open the regular season in 2009. [Mets Blog]

…The Boston Red Sox are expected to pick up Tim Wakefield’s option for 2009, this according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald. If they do, that would mean Wakefield would be entering his 14th season with the Sox. [Boston Herald]

…A total of 65 players filed for free agency, here’s the list. [MLB]

…According to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, outfielder Pat Burrell turned down a 2 year, $22 million dollar offer to remain with the team. [Philly.com]