MLB News: Bond, Giants Reach $15.8 Million One-Year Deal

Bonds trails Hank Aaron as baseball's all-time home run leader.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Giants announced Monday that Barry Bonds, the 14-year Giants veteran and seven-time National League Most Valuable Player, signed a one-year, $15.8 million deal with the Giants.

"The process of negotiating this contract was complex, lengthy and highly unconventional. We spent significant time evaluating all of the elements and circumstances surrounding the negotiations before we made a final determination to move forward," said Giants president and managing general partner Peter Magowan.

"The agreement was finalized only after we achieved reasonable assurances and protections, and only after we were convinced that the Giants' players will be able to function as a team committed to supporting each other and dedicated to doing everything they can to succeed on the playing field."

"Barry provides us with a proven middle-of-the-order, run-producing bat," said Giants senior vice president and general manager Brian Sabean.

"With his presence in our lineup and a one-year contractual commitment, we were able to avoid the temptation to trade away some of our valuable young pitching talent and were able to free up long-range funds to acquire a frontline pitcher. These decisions enabled us to sign Barry Zito, retain our promising and highly sought after young pitchers and fill our need for a power hitter in the middle of our lineup. We believe this combination of moves provides the Giants with a better chance of winning in 2007 and in the years ahead."

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to manage one of the greatest players to have ever played the game," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "As we enter the 2007 season, we are confident that Barry will be a major contributor to our success on the field."

Entering his 22nd Major League season, the 13-time All-Star and eight-time Gold Glove winner trails only Hank Aaron (755) as baseball's all-time home run leader with 734 career home runs.

The lone member of the game's 500 home run-500 stolen base club, Bonds also ranks second in baseball history for extra-base hits (1,398), fifth for RBIs (1,930), sixth for slugging percentage (.608), sixth for total bases (5,784), sixth for runs (2,152), 14th for doubles (587) and 33rd for steals (509).

The two-time batting champion also owns seven single-season Major League records, including home runs (73 in 2001), walks (232 in 2004), intentional walks (120 in 2004), on-base percentage (.609 in 2004), slugging percentage (.863 in 2001), home run ratio (6.52 HR per at-bat in 2001) and home run percentage (12.06 HR per 100 at-bats in 2004).

Bonds has won an unprecedented seven Most Valuable Player awards and has been the runner-up twice.

No other baseball player has won more than three MVPs.

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