07-10-08 Tom Verducci, SI Baseball Writer

Whenever we want to talk baseball from a national perspective this is one of our go to guys from. Sports Illustrated and SI dot com comfort Gucci's on the line hey Tom I don't. Until well -- great thank you. How often do you believe what agents stallion. The -- court or not to. I think that the ball is below 50% -- And every series and I askew is Jeff Boras the agent for Barry Bonds. Has reportedly said recently that his client bonds does not have a single offer from a single team up any kind. I gotta admit that struck ball Michael and me as a little bit strange -- all. Happy but I think he mid Major League yeah.

I don't know I guess what you're talking about. A real firm offer where you say yes -- uniform the next day it's probably true I mean I'm sure there's been. Some communication and most of in the disgusted and partly. But I don't think there's it came out there today dry up art without operated said we want your sign -- senior are.

collusion in your in your mind.

I don't think it collusion Michael I think obviously there is a group thing going on air I don't think they've got together at. Keen to do list but I think that all of ride the same point and that is we think very bought and but he can't hit at a level. When he on the game and he was the game changer like I never think of August August baseball want person. Supposed change Kaman and change team. But Barrett -- good items talent that he did it while -- that kind of player anymore I do think it is they'll hit. Without question now is it you know going to hit that premium -- the good hitter but maybe not you -- a leak -- Is he worth taking on the other risks that are so it would spot that we know what they are terms of the distractions the attention of the question that you get. You inherit all of the respect that just not adding the player it's -- issues that happened the -- and it takes away the psychic energy if -- That's -- best case scenario -- hope nothing goes wrong. -- I think he'll risk reward and play and I think. Owners especially at night -- general managers the -- especially have realized. Well Condit conclusion that it's not worth the risk.

Tom what did you think when you heard that the Red Sox. Had had internal discussions about acquiring Barry Bonds.

Well I mean I think a lot of teams have and it and it makes sense tomato I think you're in your Major League Baseball game. And you're not even having a discussion about attic Eric on what -- being negligent about doing your job that. -- explore all options that could get everybody that Rome and you made that one thing that and we don't need any artist got a cup. -- think -- what our best case scenario here and -- our worst case scenario when and where they're pretty thanks so. If you're seeing it like are not so long guys that I didn't think you can get a job in spring training out of would have have to be major injuries that would create some desperation on. And we actually it hasn't been greatly Beckett about Ortiz would you Beckett about Hafner Cleveland. You think about Frank Thomas being released in in Toronto there were opened up there. And I thought you know that both were kind of -- things that would bring it up to -- spot but even -- opening. Been caught people make offers so that tells me that it's not before coming at this point.

Tom in your opinion if the general manager and pick any general manager you want will use the it was our example. If Theo went to his ownership and said. I think they'll want to sign Barry Bonds I think it's the ownership level that considers bonds to be Kryptonite more than the player and to the whole thing.

I agree -- that -- If you're right baseball operations it's it's tough not to be tempted by the up 8% in the slugging percentage that you are going to get. See he's he's going to be above average in both very topic -- doubt about that elevate recent issues in terms of how off comply at this point. In his career and -- that the lake property at the last couple years but. He's playing. I think as a baseball operations got counts certain level of production but. I think you're exactly right the issue there is not come -- base percentage more light as that is. You know what are we selling short span what are we telling our young player. Bored the you know which guided not going to get it after -- carry on your Tampa bay came right that. And that's probably got a good bit you know we want some of these younger guys they have -- bad. So I agree you I think it mostly on an ownership level I really do it. It's a PR issue I don't think we need to walk away from that you're really thought here and and you know if you're -- And you -- like you stepped up and you say okay you can have this guy you'd better be prepared for that worst case scenario where there is some backlash that doesn't work out.

Having satellite do you think he'll be in somebody's uniform before the end of the season.

I don't I really not my thing -- there's no shot -- happening but. I thought it would have happened by now I think that we got this deep into it he's been. I don't see it happening I think. It's actually going to be hit somebody want to step up I'm -- at this point it's going to become even more besides children circuit almost like there's this. The anticipation that the buildings out Willy -- play and you know semi goes to mark signs that the planet moderately for a week or two. It's just going to vehicle league circuit for a team China would have well spot only to contenders were interest -- obviously -- And that to me yet again I think it's the kind of large scale distraction. That he's not used to that would create a lot of that is based out of our part.

Tom everybody's favorite story of the first half was the former devil dogs from Tampa. Is there anything you've seen in the past two week. From Tampa especially the last couple days losing in New York. And the Red Sox sweeping the twins has that changed your opinion of the rays and the Red Sox.

Not really ice so to me -- Red Sox roster over Tampa Bay's roster right now. And but I don't want to short -- Tampa bay because I think they are in it. For the long haul for people who -- parity how old by the Orioles there's something that could disappear the second half. That's not going to happen it's in it to me they're too good defensively that pitching is too good. For them to disappear I don't think we're going to continue to play at your 600 baseball second. I think sort that the games get bigger debate we saw that the way that the weapons that they have that -- it. It does it get suffered a land but I do expect David Price gonna get it in a jolt the second half when they deployed in the starter. Or our bullpen he's going to help me. Could sort of like a job Chamberlain and that they want do that and me just then just completely -- be moderately hitters. And did not doubt I think its Duff and from what I hear it make up our Major League ready for that can help as well so. I think they have good inventory it it and utility young team and I wonder at a young pitching is going to hold up over the second half but I I think they have enough. But again. Why -- big situations is nothing new for about all of those position player I think they'll be okay. But bottom line it's not like the Red Sox debt -- experience on account of like second -- baseball.

hot topic at Fenway yesterday it was the whole idea of actually rooting for the Yankees in this two game series and how weird that is for Red Sox fans. And the question came up about if you're a Red Sox fan are Red Sox player. Which team do you fear more from now until the end of the season Tampa bay or New York how much you.

Ought to a lot of power Red Sox I would be rooting for Tampa bay against New York. Yeah I think there can't be too many games between you know the Yankees because Yankee -- that had a great. No doubt about that you know I look back and I looked at how they did -- second half last season. And they actually higher ERA the second half that in the first half but basically worked final thirteen. But it's a part of all the second half they hit 300 the second half -- logged almost 500. That's exactly the MO they need this year Yankees you know that the better player that they have a compact their level of production. Maybe yourself and the second half the theater that you have a history of that -- to meet. That's what good could -- out of Red Sox that we don't have that level history that. The text based game -- say okay you know we -- again. I think with the Yankees say you know -- expect it hit like he did in the second half. You know they play 26 games over 500 they can do the same aspects I think the upside yankees' retirement papers that after the -- Every lost that you could take the Yankees at this point is he would be daily pick up calendar to -- that weighs more than whatever can't --

It seems just like yesterday that Jason Varitek was a free agent and we saw that -- On his Jersey -- wondering what what the market for this guy well here we are having the same conversation about Jason -- now. What what do you think the market will be for him outside of Boston -- given that he's really struggled this year at the plate.

Well I guess it all depends what he got the second half you know. I'd forgotten that really toward the middle of may third week of may it was hitting in 95. I have knowledge he had hit all year it's just that the -- that this just. In -- well I mean. Five hitters in the National League pitcher and actually hit better over the past month and half. It alarming he'd been but I think the second half is going to tell. What are factor -- a lot more based on what it is -- I still think there's going to be a market and the way to catching is these days I -- He looked round based -- these people like Ausmus and and Greg not a lot of characters that are in the late third I -- very late very still have jobs and really high profile -- played almost every -- around baseball but. The way to catching it around the game guys -- a couple league that the contract wait out there you know obviously the if you hate -- Great -- like he did these last 67 weeks it's gonna be a very limited market but. Obviously he's not as bad I don't think it's you know want Barry wants forty -- he's in the matter cup or it doesn't bounce back.

The National League central has gone bingo -- go in this trade market here the last few days CC sabathia going to Milwaukee the Cubs responding with the acquisition of Rich Harden. Are we going to see more big name players traded you know waived prior to the trade deadline like we've seen with these two.

You know I don't think -- I mean there's been some talk about you know some big -- may -- following next. You know sheriff Matt -- may be at a time. But I don't see that the same sort of urgency out there. The wait at least I would Milwaukee and and the cup but the part of Milwaukee's Bartlett cut that was clearly response well Milwaukee. You know -- got -- the -- a lot of credit you know they might be looking at losing then she sees he's about yet. At the end of the season after having lost one of the best prospects about Puerto. But you know what I am going to post season is 82 you've got that window to get on here. I applaud that was picked up here and being aggressive and putting the key on the -- is that you thought. We don't want to wait for July 31 you know we want those four actors start bat if you're wondering if you want our top prospects. And they force to taught me that you know that they forced the the cut to respond so. I think that was sort of a unique situation that would get a look at network Milwaukee is. Picnic there's another team and that folk it may be -- their amateur exactly what they regard as their top priority but today. I'm -- people still they're going to be good from here on out because they they are so young I I agree with that but. I think it here in the same division as the Yankees the Red Sox you'll win goes to win -- going to be very small and I don't think -- start looking at 2000. And I think he's day. You know this has one of those years especially -- look at expanding the -- they've got shot to win the division. That's not going to happen to walk and next but tenure matter how good those players are. I think if there's a deal for that may I think it will be aggressive whether that -- the ball and and it may be a left handed bat in the outfield. -- step up guys make that deal where they give up one of their good young prospects that pitching prospects in the minor league dedicated. Tension but again I think they should take advantage of this window that they have nothing to.

Brian Fuentes to prop up Troy Percival.

I like what -- that really do I mean I think he will get moved here I mean obviously it left at least guys with closing experience. He had tremendous value and you know obviously the Rockies are going to catch anybody that bad -- these. The Al west bid but I want make a lot of sense of and I I think you'll see what victory and I can speak at -- make -- bet that.

Tom I know you're an author. You got any projects that we should know about coming up here you're doing something with Joe Torre is that this year or next year.

Every not so next year but yet Torre's take a look back -- that is twelve years. In the Yankees and it should be understand because that you got not a dollar an honest guy and and you know he knows no other way but to be -- so it should be get.

A lot of fun to score on back over. Some of the stories -- Joe Torre and that's going to take that that's going to be a full time job for you than just.

And about. Eric I did happen that I am not a good job with the Yankees but -- game they when you look at and I. That is for awhile now when you look at what the Yankees were winning world championship in ninety. You know obviously those are great -- in 98 team won the all time great. -- may look back and I think you know life you know when they were beating up on paper Rangers in the division series -- Rangers trying to stop them with Darren Oliver -- I look at based on out guys and and I say the -- much better. Across the board I think there's probably 516 back then that could've won the World Series I think there's probably fifteen to seventeen right now. It was the World Series and I I think the game has changed around the Yankees. Since the -- won those championships that -- and how good does it work. But I think if you -- look at -- that a continuation of what -- what -- they would not last year the Cubs. The Diamondbacks the Rockies the Indians they'll make the playoffs at -- Alou -- the year before. And you know this year can't pay it looks like they're -- it I expect now there's the difference between -- third fourth best thing. And the sixteenth or seventeen that. Well it is is very marginal at work of art but ninety's there was a big gap between between the team to a good sort of middle Burke.

I'll be looking forward that Torre book can't wait to read that. I should final question before we let you -- Thomas Boswell riding in today's Washington Post. Has some rather alarming things to say about the Washington Nationals. Their average TV numbers average R 9000 viewers tonight. They would have to triple their TV rating to get the rating of the next worst TV rated team in Major League Baseball. Does MLB have a problem with their team in the nation's capital.

Not yet guys although it is alarming here I mean at the demographics of that area actually are -- very good. And they should be doing better now I've been down -- that. The area around the park is bad I don't like the ballpark itself I think. To build a ballpark these days that we know -- a lot 1112 years what works what doesn't work as far as turning. Ballpark and that basically theme parks and attractions -- To swipe at led the way they get on that ball park is that the big mistake in west. And -- haven't put an attractive team in new ballpark either so. There's nothing driving people. To the national not a team and it's not the ballpark if you look at the games on TV see especially at those expenses seat -- play mostly empty. -- the problem there and I think until you see a competitive. Really came ready to -- it in the city we won't know about baseball these days they deserve a good team at some point we can find out. Bat throughout they're the demographics tell you they they should be out there there's want -- money in the area that is why people. But right now I -- there's there's a problem in the short term now think they're worried long term but it embarrassed that we need to look at those peavy --

His stuff it's in Sports Illustrated on SI dot com he has the superb national baseball writer for both of those entities. Tom Purdue chi town we always appreciate the time thank you.

I don't let your -- but I haven't met.

Numbered -- joining us and and talking a little bit about well all over the place but