Bonds, Giants reconcile lingering differences
The slugger passed his physical and signed a one-year deal for 15.8 million.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants completed a 15.8 million, one-year contract Monday night after the slugger spent hours at the ballpark being examined by team doctors.
A baseball official confirmed the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the club had not yet announced it.
The contract was finalized nearly two months after the sides reached agreement on financial terms Dec. 7, the final day of baseball's winter meetings. Bonds had to pass a physical, and the parties had to work out complicated language regarding Bonds' behavior and what would happen if the slugger were to be indicted.
A federal grand jury is investigating whether Bonds perjured himself when he testified in 2003 in the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroid distribution case that he hadn't knowingly taken any performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds waved, yelled "hello, hello" and smiled as he left the stadium Monday and drove away, with agent Jeff Borris in the passenger seat. Borris did not immediately return calls from The Associated Press.
The 42-year-old Bonds begins the 2007 season with 734 home runs, 22 from breaking Hank Aaron's career record of 755.
Settled their differences
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. 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.
Sought free agency
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.
Bonds cleared Sweeney
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.
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