Cecil Cooper Threatens to Quit if the Astros Sign Barry Bonds

As soon as Carlos Lee went down yesterday, the "Barry Bonds to Houston" rumors started swirling. Given their position on the periphery of the Wild Card race and Ed Wade's, "Never say day even if there hasn't been a pulse for a month" attitude, they just seem to be a logical fit. They denied interest in him this morning, but that means almost nothing. Now Cecil Cooper is threatening to quit if the Astros sign Bonds. From Richard Justice's blog at the Houston Chronicle: ''Bonds is not a fit for us. If he would come, I would go. I wouldn't want to deal with it.''

I started to talk about this in my post this morning (linked above), but I'll expand. Cecil Cooper is wrong. The Astros organization, as currently assembled with no actual minor league prospects, is completely screwed for the future. They're teetering on the edge of Pirates/Royals level oblivion. They are currently eight games behind an inconsistent Brewers team for the NL Wild Card. That's a hot streak and a Ben Sheets injury away from being interesting.

If they don't contend this year, it's not happening again until at least three years after Wade is fired (you can write that down). Wade's plan is horribly misguided and foolish, but if he's putting all of his eggs in one basket then he should fill the basket. Bonds is free, in terms of talent needed to acquire him, and cheap in terms of money. He's a better hitter than anyone the Astros have in their organization, and they're probably the only team interested. It's admirable that Cooper is willing to stand his ground, but Bonds is his best chance at making the playoffs as the Astros manager.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-11-2008 @ 4:03PM

Jim said...

Good for you Coop...I appreciate a person who dislikes CHEATERS

8-11-2008 @ 5:10PM

Alyse said...

I bet Coop would quit if Bonds came to Houston. Heck I would to I can't stand Bonds.

8-11-2008 @ 5:23PM

Scott said...

Berkman is certainly better than Bonds at this point, but otherwise your post makes some sense.

8-11-2008 @ 5:24PM

Scott_gp said...

Nice try Jim, but if that's the motivating factor, why is he managing Miguel Tejada? I'd say this is a case of Cooper being concerned about bringing a circus into his clubhouse - not just engaging in the sort moral hand-wringing the fans love so much.

8-11-2008 @ 5:31PM

basscat02 said...

"Barry Bonds is a better hitter than anyone the Astros have in their organization"...What an idiotic statement!!! You and Barry need to get a room , cause I can't think of any other reason anyone would say such a stupid remark

8-11-2008 @ 5:50PM

David said...

Cecil Cooper knows great players when he sees them: Yastrzemski, Rice, Lynn, Fisk, Yount, Molitor, and himself.
But Barry Bonds is NOT a great player. Bonds was one-dimensional. All he could do was hit home runs...off crummy NATIONAL LEAGUE pitching...and he STILL needed STEROIDS! (Think about that.) And he's washed up anyway.
Remember how the Red Sox dumped Manny Ramirez? They called a team meeting, and said, "THIS BUM HAS TO GO!"
I suggest the Astros do the same thing. Their players and coaches have to threaten the GM, and say, "KEEP BONDS OUT!"

8-11-2008 @ 7:12PM

tdbrought said...

Bonds was one dimensional?!?!?! The guy won 3 MVP's in Pittsburgh. His on base average is one of the greatest ever. I don't want him in Houston, but the guy was a 5 tool player LONG before he decided to copy McGuire and Sosa and 'roid up. THOSE guys were one dimensional.

8-11-2008 @ 7:31PM

mike said...

You obviously havent looked at barry's career stats. Before and after the supposive steriod use. Have you! He might be an unliked player, but he can still help a team be productive and even make the playoffs.

8-11-2008 @ 7:53PM

Ray said...

I have been an Astro's fan for 35 years and watched and attended several games both at Minute Maid and the Astrodome. The one player that had success in both parks is Barry Bonds. I am not saying that I am a "Bonds" fan but the stats are their to back his play. He has a .298 lifetime batting average and a .444 obp. So, if it brings another stick to the line-up to help Berkman and Tejada with some power then I think it would have to be something to think about.

8-11-2008 @ 9:12PM

LB said...

They need him bad. Petitite is still pitching for the Yankees, Giambi is still playing for the Yankees. So only certain (white) players are forgiven. The slugger for the Cardinals was caught also. Pitcher for the Cleveland indians Byrd????

8-11-2008 @ 10:22PM

Bro said...

There is always someone who uses the race card. 3 of the 4 players LB has mentioned all admitted one way or another of using
"something" the 4th didnt admit to anything he didnt buy at GNC.
McGwire is being hung out to dry. He has not been forgiven about anything.
I hope Bonds does sign with the 'Stros, Let Cooper walk...Who here decides who their bosses hire?

8-12-2008 @ 1:48AM

Ace said...

All the people supposedly outed in rumors and/or reports haven't 'fessed up and continue to work. Some 'fessed up only when outed. I'm not quite sure what criteria is being used to decide which players are allowed to continue to work and which ones are cast off to the side. Even with Barrys age and image, I still find it hard to believe that the one person who broke the HR title can't find work at the end of the season. And he would NOT have been the oldest player playing this year. Yes, he would have brought a circus with him into the clubhouse-that would have been a given. That would have been one big factor to perhaps saying NO to his employment-the other players, manager, GM, as well as the owners would have spent considerable time answering questions about Bonds and steriods. I'm not a advocate of what Bonds and so MANY others did to the sport (with steriods) and what a few maybe continuing to do-but there is a set of "fuzzy" rules about who is allowed to participate in the game and who is "forced" into retirement.

8-12-2008 @ 1:49PM

Maria said...

If you watch the interview with Coop you can clearly see that he is joking. The quote was taken out of context, however I would completely understand if he did pack up and leave.

8-18-2008 @ 6:44AM

tito said...

who is cecil cooper to say that he'll quit, he's a nobody and wont hurt anything if he leaves. this team needs help and should be happy they can get a player in his caliber. everybody hates bonds but everybody forgets that they haven proven anything, if they have he wouldnt be allowed to play.