Not too long after dropping the “Devil” name, the Tampa Bay Rays may be getting back a devilish character - Barry Bonds.

The ST. PETERSBURG TIMES reports that Rays officials have had “internal discussions” about acquiring the available hitter. Bonds has been teamless since the San Francisco Giants bid the slugger sayonara last season, while the Rays have been powerless since … well, forever.

However, both Bonds agent Jeff Borris and Rays front-office personnel wouldn’t comment on any potential talks or negotiations. Besides, Barry has to save his breath for his upcoming perjury trial.

Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon says he knows little about what’s going on - which is always a good idea when you’re stuck with the Rays. But he warns the media about making much to-do about nothing:

“A minor discussion was thrown out there a little bit, and it’s really not gone any further than that. That’s all it is right now.”

If the chips fall into place, would Maddon mind having Bonds on his squad?

“It’s hard to conjecture …. I don’t know this man. I only know what I read, and I’m very much open to meeting people and drawing my own conclusions about people. I don’t necessarily believe everything that I read.”

And the Rays already have experience dealing with malcontents.