The Barry Bonds CourtTV Business Begins

Barry Bonds is going to be arraigned in San Francisco in about 20 minutes or so. We have a hard time firing ourselves up about arraignments; it's pretty much just a bunch of guys in ties saying about 10 words so low that we can't hear them.

That said, it's the start of what could theoretically — though not, likely, in actuality — be a fascinating court battle, and the guys who know it better than anyone, Mark Fainaru-Wada and T. J. Quinn, have an excellent rundown of what it all means on ESPN. Here's the most compelling section:

Is this case definitely going to trial? There has been rampant speculation that because Bonds' criminal attorney Michael Rains has blasted the government repeatedly, there is no way Bonds will agree to a plea bargain. As Bonds looks to expand his legal team to include a veteran of the federal criminal justice system — he reportedly hired Cristina Arguedas and Allan Ruby, both of whom are familiar with federal cases, Thursday night — he still hasn't seen the evidence against him, however. Whatever the government has probably will be turned over within the coming week as part of the discovery process. When that happens, Team Bonds might decide the evidence is overwhelming and he would be better off settling. Or Bonds and his team could decide the government's case is flimsy and worth fighting in court.

We still think it's hilarious that Bonds finally got around to hiring "veterans of the federal criminal justice system" last night. Don't plead, Barry! Let's keep this going for a while.

Answers To Key Questions As Bonds Begins Legal Journey [ESPN] Barry Bonds Could Really Used Johnnie Cochran Right Now [Deadspin]