Controversial signing

Detroit was the most disappointing team of the 2008 season. After trading for Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis and Edgar Renteria they were supposedly the team to beat in the AL. Setbacks to starting pitching (no one pitched to expectations) and injuries/aging to key position players contributed to the collapse. The emergence of Armando Gallaraga and the trade for Edwin Jackson have given Detroit two solid rotation pieces. Rebound years from Verlander and Bonderman and solid starts from either Miner or Porcello out of the 5th spot could give the Tigers a formidable rotation. Cabrera played up to his hall of fame standards the 2nd half of 2008 and has continued that production into 2009. However, as long as Detroit insists on playing him in the field they do not have a true DH. The addition of another bat would go a long way towards getting Detroit back into the playoffs.

The Detroit Tigers sign Barry Bonds.

I don't care about Bonds' steroid use, his pending legal trouble, his negative influence on clubhouse chemistry or the time he has spent away from baseball. He is one of the best hitters of all time...and is looking to play at the league minimum salary. If Bonds is even a shadow of his former self, inserting him into the Detroit lineup will change the way opposing pitchers approach their lineup and will give other players more pitches to hit. Check out this lineup vs RHP:

CF Granderson
2B Polanco
DH Bonds
1B Cabrera
RF Ordonez
LF Guillen
3b Inge
C Laird
SS Santiago

Bonds hitting third allows Magglio to slide down to the 5 spot for more chances to drive in runs which he has excelled at in his career. It also moves Guillen, Inge and Laird down a spot which gives Detroit more depth in the order. Thames can still DH against lefties but should not be allowed near the starting lineup against righties. This is without mentioning the economic advantage of signing Barry...surely an increase in ticket sales would result from his signing. Adding Bonds would be a very smart move for Detroit.