After watching the first series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees it is patently obvious why many baseball prognosticators picked the Blue Jays to win the American League wild card or even the AL East. The Blue Jays pitching appears to be the real deal with Roy Halladay, AJ Burnett and Dustin McGowan forming a potent top three. In addition, Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch won 12 and 7 games, respectively, last season with ERA's around 4.00. Two of Litsch's seven wins were dominating performances against both Boston and New York. That is a real good rotation. The bullpen is strong with Jeremy Accardo, Brian Tallet, Scott Downs and Brian Wolfe. When BJ Ryan returns, the bullpen becomes virtually impenetrable.

But, the Blue Jays need something to boost their prospects to win this season.

The Blue Jays need Barry Bonds.

During the spring Frank Thomas did not hit very well, his bat speed looking very slow. After the recent three game series in New York, the bat speed has not improved. I would like to give Thomas a full month or two before full judgment can be passed, but by then, it could be too late for the Blue Jays.

Toronto is a very heavy right handed hitting lineup. They need a lefty presence to balance out the power of righty's Alex Rios, Vernon Wells, Thomas and Scott Rolen when he returns from his hand injury. Lefty's Greg Zaun, Lyle Overbay and Matt Stairs are adequate major league hitters, but offer limited power and run production. Last season, lefty's Zaun and Overbay each hit 10 HR's and batted under.250. Only Stairs offered any meaningful production with 21 HR and .289, but he is 40 years old and cannot be counted on to play every day. Those three hitters just do not scare many teams. Many managers could save their lefty specialist for important hitters.

Barry Bonds would vastly improve the Blue Jay lineup, but his knees and age are making him incapable of playing every day in the outfield. Bonds could still play left field several days a week and could spell Frank Thomas at DH against tough righties such as Josh Beckett, Dice-K or another righty Thomas has not fared well against. Plus, the Red Sox and Yankees will mostly throw RH pitchers against the Jays, and if Pettitte or Lester throws against the Jays, Bonds could have a much-needed rest from the Sky Dome carpet. This several days a week process would be benefit Bonds, Thomas and Stairs, but most of all; it would benefit the Blue Jays.

If Bonds played again, most people think he would be a shoo-in for the L.A. Angels or Oakland A's, but the Blue Jays are best equipped to handle the attention, his personality and temperament that Bonds usually demands. The Jays locker room is a nice mix of veterans and young players who have started to make their stride as major leaguers, especially a team with young pitching. Most importantly, this team needs a new bat, a predominately right-handed hitting team needing a lefty bat.  

The Blue Jays have the right amount of veteran position players, but have good, young arms. Those young pitchers really wouldn't have to deal with Mr. Ego all that much. Frank Thomas and Vernon Wells would be able to hold court over Bonds' antics, especially Thomas, one of the only players to voluntarily speak with George Mitchell. Thomas' credibility might wear off on Bonds (I repeat MIGHT wear off), but, if Bonds gets out of control, the Jays could cut him and it would not cost a lot. Thomas is also intelligent enough to realize that even though Bonds would take away some of his at bats, Bonds is also needed for the Jays to win.

As a Yankee fan, I can't believe I am letting the Jays in on this, but it is a great deal for the Jays...if they can get Bonds on their own terms. What's a one year, deal for $5 million (with incentives) when you have $100 Million tied up between Burnett and Ryan, and are going to throw $65 million more at Rios? A total of 450 plate appearances by Bonds would help the Jays in the middle of that right-handed hitting lineup, both with power numbers and on-base percentage. Imagine Bonds pummeling balls off the Green Monster and powering balls into Yankee Stadium's upper deck - like he did on June 8, 2002.

Speaking of upper decks, Bonds on the Blue Jays would put more fannies in the upper deck of the Rogers Center, virtually paying for Bonds' salary.

Also, since the federal goverment is seeking a new indictment of Bonds and his perjury trial was pushed back to a point after the 2008 season, Barry's legal troubles would not be a concern.

This speculation is all predicated on Bonds taking a one-year deal for reduced money, but having nice incentives in the contract. He needs to be willing to keep his ego in check, but without another opportunity and the chance to play again in Fenway Park and the last season of Yankee Stadium; Bonds would be stupid to say no.

And the Blue Jays would be stupid not to make the offer.