Bonds finally close to finalizing Giants contract

Killswitch · 01-29-2007, 04:25 PM

Bonds arrives in San Francisco for physical

Barry Bonds arrived in San Francisco on Monday, set to take a physical and complete a contract with the Giants nearly two months after they agreed on financial terms.

A federal investigation into Bonds' role in a steroids case and a report that the slugger tested positive for amphetamines complicated the negotiations.

Neither side said much about those problems during the 7Ã‚Â½-week delay. That secrecy, plus lingering ill will between Bonds and team owner Peter Magowan, prompted talk the Giants might try to back out of the deal -- despite the left fielder being 22 home runs from breaking Hank Aaron's career mark of 755.

But with spring training starting next month, and the All-Star Game in San Francisco this summer, the sides settled their differences.

Bonds traveled to the Bay Area from his home in Beverly Hills, Calif., for the physical. If the 42-year-old star and his oft-injured knees check out OK, he'll sign a one-year deal for $15.8 million.

He can earn another $4.2 million in performance bonuses based on how much he plays. If he matches last year's effort -- 493 plate appearances, 130 games -- he'll get the whole amount.

Bonds hit .270 with 26 home runs and 77 RBIs, and drew 115 walks. A day after the season ended, Magowan said Bonds would no longer be the centerpiece of the franchise if he played for the Giants in 2007.

Bonds filed for free agency and the seven-time NL MVP drew interest from Oakland, St. Louis, San Diego and other teams.

The Giants and Bonds agreed on financial terms on Dec. 7, the day that baseball's winter meetings ended. Since then, it's been slow going on finalizing the deal.

A federal grand jury is still investigating whether Bonds perjured himself in 2003 when he testified during the BALCO steroid distribution case that he hadn't knowingly taken any performance-enhancing drugs.

Bonds failed an amphetamines test last season, the New York Daily News reported this month. The newspaper said that when Bonds first learned of the result, he attributed it to a substance he took from teammate Mark Sweeney's locker.

In a public statement, Bonds cleared Sweeney and said, "he did not give me anything whatsoever and has nothing to do with this matter." Bonds didn't address whether he took amphetamines.

Bonds, who has hit 734 home runs in 21 major league seasons, has repeatedly denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

Source: ESPN.com

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 01-29-2007, 05:12 PM

I was a bit worried that they were not going to keep him and were going to forget about it. Amazing how drugs now are such a big deal though none of them can help your eye-hand coordination, I see it like this, if the person is willing to take the risk let him...but that's just my opinion...

joeytheking23 · 01-29-2007, 05:22 PM

I don't mind him at all....even though the media is trying to bring him down as low as possible....but it is good they got the deal done and now he can get the record in a Giants uni.

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 01-29-2007, 06:29 PM

My only thing is just like McGwire, Pete Rose, and others, they make a mistake and they're out of the Hall of Fame, though they may make great ballplayers, one bad storyline that's true could kill your HOF spot, and the media, press, and all the people going against Bonds and not wanting him to succeed may make him do that...You saw what a few words did to McGwire, could the same thing happen to Bonds, reguardless if he's number one in HomeRuns or not? IMO it be a big disappointment if Bonds doesn't make it into the Hall...

dave · 01-31-2007, 11:05 AM

The deal between the San Fran Giants and Barry Bonds was finalized earlier today. A one-year, $15.8 million deal with an interesting clause. According to the Associated Press, if Bonds is indicted by the federal government at any point during the length of the contract, the Giants can instantly void the deal and release Bonds.

Is the heat on?

RatedRTitan · 01-31-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

The deal between the San Fran Giants and Barry Bonds was finalized earlier today. A one-year, $15.8 million deal with an interesting clause. According to the Associated Press, if Bonds is indicted by the federal government at any point during the length of the contract, the Giants can instantly void the deal and release Bonds.

Is the heat on?

However I was listening into Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPNradio and they have testimony from all of baseball's top analysts saying that the Giants really can't terminate Bond's agreement if he does get indicted. It violates the Player agreement. Bond's agent actually allowed them to put it into the contract, so pretty much Bonds will play and get paid at the same time

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 01-31-2007, 07:10 PM

Him being indicted may or may not happen, his failed test as of late didn't help his case, but it was nothing too big that you hear of being reminded everyday. I see him finishing the year as A Giant and taking over the Home Run Record, my only question, could he be screwed out of the HOF?

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Bonds finally close to finalizing Giants contract

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