[ayaghmour2]

I know, I know... I said there probably wouldn't be any more trades, but I just can't help myself! Like Sal Pestilli, the newest Cougar is someone I've attempted to acquire in the past, but nothing ever materialized. That changed tonight, when we acquire Saints slugger Red Bond for a pair of outfield prospects in Zeke Johnson and Joe Austin.

Selected in the 2nd Round of the 1931 draft, Bond spent his entire professional career to date with the Montreal Saints, debuting for them as a 22-year-old in 1935. He got into just 17 games (11 starts), but hit a pretty solid .320/.404/.480 (136 OPS+) with 2 doubles, 2 homers, and 3 RBIs. The next season he earned an Opening Day roster spot, but only appeared in 83 games due to a bunch of random injuries. Still, it was clear the Saints found a keeper, as Bond hit an absurd .362/.456/.657 (192 OPS+) with 13 doubles, 15 homers, and 53 RBIs, while walking (32) more then he struck out (17). Again, he dealt with injuries, limiting him to just 95 appearances and only 55 starts. Again, he took advantage of his at bats, hitting .310/.370/.515 (144 OPS+) with 14 doubles, 12 homers, and 42 RBIs.

1938 was a different ball game for Bond, who was now 25 and healthy enough to play nearly every game. The then right fielder had himself a breakout, making a then high 621 trips to the plate in 143 games. He produced an excellent .316/.372/.480 (138 OPS+) with 32 doubles, 20 homers, and 85 RBIs. He followed that up with his first of two All-Star appearances, this time appearing in 151 games and launching 22 homers. He hit 27 doubles and drove in 97 runs, slashing .327/.401/.500 (140 OPS+). Some might have thought that was the best he'd do, but Bond fought former Cougar John Lawson and Wolf Fred McCormick, who was looking to threepeat with Whitney Awards. We all know Lawson ended up with the award, but Bond had a tremendous season himself. He led the CA in homers (30), RBIs (111), slugging (.550), OPS (.945), and WRC+ (163). Awful right field defense cost him in the WAR department, as he was worth just 4.3 in 153 games. Unfortunately for Bond, that was the last time he'd contend for a Whitney, as his numbers took a tumble the following season. He hit just 18 homers and drove in 90 RBIs with a .279/.354/.414 (113 OPS+) line. The next week was even worse, and he posted his first below average WRC+ (92) as a big leaguer. And he didn't have a chance to bounce back from it either, as the military came calling.

Like most enlistees, Bond returned to for the 1946 season, and despite the three years off, he put together a really strong season. It wasn't prime Bond numbers, but the now 33-year-old hit .288/.355/.424 (125 OPS+) in 142 games. Sure the 14 homers were his lowest since 1937, but he still added 21 doubles, 61 RBIs, and 47 walks. This year hasn't been as great, but a lot has gone poorly for the Saints and he has 14 of the teams 32 homers, with no one else on the team having even five. Bond's .287/.322/.446 (103 OPS+) triple slash isn't great, but his 113 WRC+ is 24 points higher then Dick Walker's (89), and if he can hit homers as the Parc Cartier, he'll have no trouble at Cougars Park. Our offense has been very bad and I'm hoping Bond can give us some sort of thump.

So where does this leave Dick Walker? Well...

There's a few options. The best one would be a trade, so the almost 41-year-old can play more regular and add to his 2,731 career hit total. The worst option would be waivers, as it's a tough end to a potential Hall-of-Fame career. In 19 big league seasons, Walker posted a WRC+ below 100 just one other time (80), and has been worth nearly 80 wins above replacement since debuting at 21 back in 1928. He's 7 homers away from 200 and has swiped 419 bases, walking (1,754) more then twice as often as he's struck out (809). That's not the type of guy you want to waive, even this late in his career. Still, the alternative would be keeping three first basemen on the roster, and sending someone like George Sutterfield or Don Lee down. Both are 25 and have options, but haven't hit at all this season. Another option is cutting Jim Jenkins, who has a tiny 36 WRC+ and -0.3 WAR. Luckily I have time to mull my options, as with the trade coming late it may not even go through tomorrow. For now Walker and Ford will keep on platooning, and hopefully we can get some wins!