Bonds stays with Giants

NEW YORK -- Barry Bonds will stay with the San Francisco Giants, deciding Wednesday to accept the team's offer of salary arbitration.

Bonds, who became a free agent after hitting a record 73 home runs, could wind up with a one-year contract worth at least $20 million. He would prefer to sign a multiyear deal, said his agent, Scott Boras.

"Barry will continue to work toward that," Boras said.

Bonds, 37, faced a midnight Wednesday deadline to accept the Giants' offer of salary arbitration.

Juan Gonzalez, Chan Ho Park and Johnny Damon were among the other big-name free agents who faced the deadline.

Free agents who accept are considered signed for next year. Those rejecting the offers can negotiate with their former teams through Jan. 8, about three weeks.

Despite Bonds' record-breaking season, the Giants are the only team to publicly admit making an offer to the new home-run king.

"Barry had many things to consider," Boras said.

Boras, also represents Park, who was offered arbitration by Los Angeles, and outfielder Johnny Damon, who was offered arbitration by Oakland.

"We haven't made any decisions yet," Boras said about his other clients.

Gonzalez's agent, Jeff Moorad, has said the outfielder was unlikely to accept the arbitration offer from the Indians.

Two other free agents found teams, with outfielder Moises Alou agreeing to a $27 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs and pitcher Dave Burba agreeing to a $2 million, one-year deal with the Texas Rangers.

In addition, the Cubs traded outfielder Michael Tucker to the Kansas City Royals.

Also, reliever John Rocker agreed to a $2.5 million, one-year contract with Texas, who acquired him Tuesday from Cleveland, and outfielder Benny Agbayani agreed to a $600,000, one-year deal with the New York Mets. Both had been eligible for salary arbitration.

Bonds had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history, breaking previous record of 70 homers, set by Mark McGwire three years ago. Bonds also had an .863 slugging percentage and 177 walks, breaking season marks held by Babe Ruth.

He became the first four-time Most Valuable Player winner and was thought to be seeking a five-year contract worth $20 million or more annually, but teams were wary because of his age and lack of success in the postseason, where he has a .196 average (19-for-97) with one homer and six RBIs.