We’ve read time and time again that for all his prodigious hitting talent, Barry Bonds is a clubhouse cancer. So with that in mind, who better to replace the Sultan Of Surly than the ultimate team player? From the SF Chronicle’s Henry Schulman.

Sources on Sunday confirmed that the Giants are among the teams talking seriously to the Red Sox about their disgruntled, temperamental yet unquestionably talented slugger. Ramirez, 34, is a .314 career hitter who has swatted at least 33 home runs with at least 102 RBIs in each of the last nine seasons.

If the Giants can pull this off, they would have one of the game’s premier offensive forces in the middle of their lineup. They also would have no room for Barry Bonds, as both are left fielders.

There are many obstacles to such a deal, although money might be the least of them. Ramirez is owed $14 million and $16 million, plus a total of $8 million in deferred salary, over the final two seasons of the eight-year, $168 million contract he signed with Boston.

One source said the Giants and Red Sox have discussed a trade between the teams and possible three-way deals. The talks were described as preliminary. Boston is unlikely to move Ramirez before sewing up free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew, whom the Giants are not pursuing.

Baltimore, having already invested $12 million on reliever Jamie Walker, has reportedly sunk a further $19 million into a 3 year deal for righty Danys Baez. Baez, who toiled for the Dodgers and Braves last season (5-6, 4.53 ERA), made no further appearances after being shelled by the Pirates on August 22.