I think most everyone would concede that if Bonds hasn't signed with anyone yet, it just ain't going to happen. He'd require ramp up time to get ready and that would leave him available for basically one month.

TB definitely needs to do something about their DH situation. It just ain't pretty right now.

Against a LHP last night, it was Bartlett, batting 9th. That's obviously a ridiculous situation. Gomes, who hasn't hit well this year, is now in AAA. Surely he's got to be the closest thing to an in-house solution against LHP.

Against RHP, Crawford's injury is going to result in Hinske/Gross/Floyd/Baldelli manning LF/RF/DH. That's two brittle players and two over-achievers.

While the team's brass must surely be pleased with this year's performance, it seems entirely clear that they are not convinced that the team will be playing in October. They didn't seem to push hard to get Bay, at least based on written reports, and are now failing to even make a modest move to address an obvious need. The Yankees are vulnerable and I hate to see TB seemingly punting when they are in first place with six weeks to go.

One thing I hadn't thought of prior to today is that the Red Sox are likely claiming any OF that the Rays might be interested in trading for.

So if the Rays want to acquire someone Bonds might be one of the few available options to them right now.

Although I bet Wells cleared waivers - they could trade for him.

Good call Pistol. I'm quite sure Boston only "pursued" Giles to keep him from TB. If TB stubbornly stays ahead of Boston and NY in the standings, those two teams can continue to step in and make waiver claims on outfielders.

TB's window may have closed July 31. That said, this DH problem existed then as well and should have been dealt with earlier.

I'm quite sure Boston only "pursued" Giles to keep him from TB.

I thought that a trade was worked out and Giles killed it with his no-trade.

I thought that a trade was worked out and Giles killed it with his no-trade.

That's my understanding as well. But I don't think the Red Sox much cared one way or another whether Giles would go for it or not (not having anywhere to play him). As I understand it, and I may be way off, the kaiboshed trade precluded Giles from then becoming available to teams higher than Boston in the standings, like the Rays and Angels.

Gomes would be a perfectly acceptable RH portion of a DH platoon.  It sounds as though the Rays are intending to use Justin Ruggiano a fair bit against lefties in the outfield.

Personally, I'd move to a 6 man pen and send Hammel down until September 1 to bring up Gomes.  The Rays' pen was strengthened with the addition of Bradford, and with their starting rotation in pretty good shape, they need more help on the bench. 

They really are in a tough spot, go against MLB or possibly miss the playoffs.

Whats Kenny Lofton up to?  he won't have to clear waivers and may be interested in playing in the playoffs one more time.