Bonds most likely won't be a Giants slugger next year

He's prepared to go to the American League as a designated hitter.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The Barry Bonds era in San Francisco is probably headed into its final months.
Bonds knows it. The Giants know it. And everybody involved is determined to make a playoff push in what is likely the last run for this club with the star slugger, not to mention a handful of other key players.
Bonds, who turns 42 on July 24, realizes he might not be back with the Giants for a 15th season -- prepared to take his talents to the American League as a designated hitter if he returns at all in 2007.
Bonds has said he would like to return next year for a 22nd major league season if his health allows, though lately he has sounded more uncertain.
"I don't know yet, I have no idea," Bonds said. "My thing about next year is my kids, that's it. My son's a junior in high school. He's going to be a senior. I want to be with my son, my kids."
So far
Bonds hit 12 home runs in the first half to give him 720 for his career, 35 from tying home run king Hank Aaron's all-time record of 755. He passed Babe Ruth and moved into second place on the all-time list with No. 715 on May 28.
Bonds doesn't have a total he believes he must reach by the end of this season to give himself a realistic shot at Hammerin' Hank.
"None. I'm capable of that," he said of hitting 35 home runs in one season at his age. "I'm not predicting."
Bonds has played in 69 of San Francisco's first 89 games, batting .249 (47-for-189) with 39 RBIs, 74 walks and 29 strikeouts. The sharp drop in production from Bonds' MVP seasons in 2001-2004 can be heavily attributed to his age and the effects of missing all but 14 games last season following three operations on his troublesome right knee.
Rare All-Star absence
Bonds missed the All-Star game for just the second time as a Giant when he has been healthy. He said there was no reason for a farewell selection in Pittsburgh, the city where he began his career.
"Say goodbye to Barry? You think I'm leaving?" he said. "It can't be goodbye to Barry yet until Barry wants to say goodbye."
There are questions surrounding several of his teammates, too: ace Jason Schmidt, right fielder Moises Alou, outfielder Steve Finley, second baseman Ray Durham, third baseman Pedro Feliz, lefty reliever Steve Kline, right-handed starter Jamey Wright and infielder Jose Vizcaino all can become free agents at the end of the season.
Manager Felipe Alou also is in the final year of his contract and isn't sure whether he will be back.
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