Barry Bonds to Astros?

At first, I allowed my dislike of Barry Bonds as a person and the fear he would taint the Astros brand of baseball to blind me.  Why would the Astros allow the King of the Steroid Era to come into our wholesome town and play for the "good guy" Astros, an organization that has built this reputation over the past 2 decades by having players such as Craig Biggion, Brad Ausmus, and Jeff Bagwell?  But, then it dawned on me, or rather my repressed memories came out of the dark.  The Astros have already been tainted by steroids.  Anybody remember a guy named Roger Clemens?  And, oh yeah, our starting shortstop Tejada was a proud member of the group of players named in the Mitchell Report.  Now, the Astros have always seemed to have more respected and upstanding citizens on their team, but to think they are better, or less tainted than any other MLB team when it comes to the Steroid Era, is just not true.  So public perception aside, why else does the signing of Barry Bonds make sense?

 Well, at the very least it would be consistent with what the Astros management has been doing the past month in terms of player moves and what owner Drayton McLane keeps preaching to us: that the Astros are still in contention and are tirelessly working to put the best baseball team on the field.  While I actually liked the Randy Wolf trade, and might be the only one,  the move for LaTroy Hawkins makes zero sense for a team that has a very slim chance to make the playoffs and has a non-existent farm system.  But, if Ed Wade and McLane really believe we have a chance and want to put the best team on the field, then why not sign Barry Bonds?  Last time I checked he was the MLB leader in career Home Runs.  I also remeber him being pretty decent at getting on base.  Furthermore, his two biggest weaknesses don't seem to be as big of problems as they could be for other teams.  First, Barry Bond's ego (chemistry issue) wouldn't seem to be a big problem for the Astros, as team leader, Lance Berkman has already said he would be in favor of adding Bond's bat to the team.  And, as for his defense, would he really be less productive than Carlos Lee?  Now, it just came to my attention that Cecil Cooper said he would quit if Bonds joined the team, but, if the Astros management really wants to win now, what will make a bigger difference in the win column: Bonds in the lineup or Coop running the bench?  See ya Coop.

 Lastly, Bonds has been itching to play all year and would probably sign for something cheap and reasonable.  He also might be focused and what a way to boost his image, come in and help push the hapless Astros into the playoffs.

 Drayton, are you listening?  Besides, if Barry doesn't produce, it will still be a win for you.  The Astros will get tons of national coverage, you will keep selling your tickets, and I imagine anyone who really looks at the overall state of the game and its recent history will not hold a grudge and quit coming to the games.  Or, god forbid, look at the Astros as less than a bunch of good guys.