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Bonds agrees to continue home run chase with Giants

Barry Bonds reacts after flying out against the Los Angeles Dodgers in July in Los Angeles. Bonds is headed back to the San Francisco Giants after agreeing to a $16 million, one-year deal. PHOTO: AP

Barry Bonds is ready to resume his chase for Major League Baseball's career home run record in a familiar place.

Bonds and the San Francisco Giants reached agreement on a US$16 million, one-year deal on Thursday night that will keep the slugger in the Bay Area.

Despite a bit of sniping by both sides, the 42-year-old Bonds decided to sign for a 15th season with San Francisco. It was a natural fit -- he wanted to set the home run record in a Giants uniform and the team didn't want to see him do it for anyone else.

Bonds has 734 homers, 22 shy of Hank Aaron's career record. The Giants certainly will benefit at the gate as he approaches the mark and with San Francisco hosting the MLB All-Star game next year, can build the event around him.

Shadowed by allegations of steroid use and a target of jeers in many opposing parks, Bonds has remained a fan favorite at home. He is tied to the Giants by family and history -- his dad, Bobby, was a popular player with the team, and his godfather, Willie Mays, is regarded as the greatest Giant of them all.

The deal includes four performance bonuses that could make it worth a total of US$20 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Oakland, San Diego, St. Louis, Detroit and Tampa Bay were among the clubs that called Bonds' representatives once he filed for free agency.

All along, however, the Giants were seen as the front-runners to keep him.
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