Tony DeMarco

In another time and another era, the Hall of Fame class of 2013 could be the deepest and most-impressive one since the first two back in the 1930s. Because as of Feb. 28, 2008, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Sammy Sosa, Mike Piazza and Craig Biggio won't be playing this season.

We're talking about the best hitter and pitcher of this and possibly any generation, one of five members of the 600-homer club, arguably the best offensive catcher in history, and a 3,000-hit club member — all jobless, with only Biggio having said for certain that he is finished.

Yes, Hall of Fame talents are there for hire, but even with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues cranked up, nobody appears interested. If that doesn't change, the individual fates of this group will be in the hands of Hall of Fame voters in late-2012, and we know all too well the issues they will be facing in upcoming elections. In other words, it's a real safe bet that all five won't be getting in — no-doubt Hall of Fame numbers notwithstanding — and the 2013 class could be reduced to as few as one or two members.

Of the group, Bonds clearly has the most left to offer on the field. Over the last two seasons at age 41 and 42, he played 130 and 126 games, batted .270 and .276, hit 26 and 28 home runs, and posted off-the-charts on-base percentages of .454 and .480. With the advantage of the designated hitter, there is every reason to think he could do it one more time.

The Oakland A's had early interest, but that was before a cloudy medical picture on their roster and weakened farm system pushed Billy Beane into full-scale rebuilding mode.

Both the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays also have at least tossed around the idea of giving the all-time home run leader a shot at collecting the 65 hits he needs to reach his secondary goal of 3,000 hits.

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But the Cardinals decided the negatives outweigh the positives, and moved on. And the Rays have downplayed their interest since it became public earlier this week, leaving the slight possibility of a Bonds tour in Japan.

Clemens is in a legal mess of his own, and it could be deepening if the government decides to pursue perjury charges. He hasn't said he won't pitch again, but he is following Bonds down an ugly path off the field, was a 6-6/4.18 pitcher in only 18 appearances at an exorbitant price last year, and apparently has run out of places to go.

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Sosa might have had a chance to return to Texas, but quickly priced himself off their roster by asking for $7 million to be a part-time DH against left-handed pitching. The Rangers decided to go in another direction by trading for Josh Hamilton and signing Milton Bradley, the Royals also spurned Sosa, and another suitor surfacing at this point seems unlikely.

Piazza, 39, embraced the job of role player/positive clubhouse influence in stops in San Diego and Oakland the last two seasons. But the downturn in production was obvious — .283-22-68 with San Diego in 2006 to .275-8-44 with Oakland in 2007. The A's rebuilding didn't help him, either, and it's tough to find a roster spot for a third catcher/DH.

Biggio leaves with 3,060 hits and 668 doubles, 414 steals, 291 home runs, All-Star ability at a couple of positions and an intact reputation as a team leader and positive clubhouse force.

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