I had to laugh when I saw Richard Justice's Houston Chronicle column, suggesting that McLane should sign Bonds to replace Lee for the rest of year.  Here is an excerpt of what he says:

The Astros need a left fielder. I know the name of a good one. He's rested and ready. He'll bring a buzz to the ballpark, too. He'd suddenly make the Astros baseball's most interesting team.

What's wrong with having a little buzz? Why should the Dallas Cowboys have all the fun?

Barry Lamar Bonds would be a perfect fit for the Astros.

Our local nine has been winning some games lately. Just as they're closing in on .500, one of their two best players, Carlos Lee, goes down with a broken finger.

If the goal is to win, Drayton McLane will make that call to Barry. What would the Rockets do? They just went for a guy that has done far worse things than Barry.

Trust me when I tell you Barry is vastly overrated as a bad guy in the clubhouse. He's a little prickly at times, a little standoffish, but who among us isn't? Jeff Kent didn't always whistle when he walked in the clubhouse, and he has turned out to be one of the all-time best guys to have on a baseball team.

Besides, Barry would be absolutely thrilled to get another shot. He thinks he has been black-balled. Maybe he has.

That's beside the point. Even if the commissioner doesn't want him in the game, it's Drayton's job to do what's best for his club.

Go for it, Drayton. He might just be the best offensive player of all-time. Since he got big, there's almost no argument about that. No one has done the things Barry has done.

He changes games unlike any other. Opposing pitchers began preparing for him an inning before he was scheduled to hit. If Cecil Cooper batted Barry third, Lance Berkman suddenly would be leading the world in RBI opportunities.

The Astros wouldn't have an empty seat in the house, and you know how many hot dogs that will sell. Hear that sound? That's the cash register ringing. See the standings? The Astros would be moving up.

 

I doubt that this would ever happen.  But it is sure to generate much comment and discussion among Astros' fans, many of whom dislike Bonds immensely.  I wouldn't mind seeing it happen, just to see what everybody's reaction would be.