Orlando, Fla. – Nothing like a few hours at the happiest place on earth for the San Francisco Giants and slugger Barry Bonds to make up.
For weeks, the public posturing has hinted of a potential divorce between Bonds and the Giants, the team he has called home since 1993. Ownership talked of not being held hostage by Bonds. Agent Jeff Borris insisted that the team has taken him for granted, stopping just short of calling their non-arbitration offer last week an insult.
But speaking at length Monday about Bonds for the first time this offseason, Giants general manager Brian Sabean made the left fielder’s return seem more likely than ever.
“I don’t know where the story line came from that we didn’t want him back,” Sabean told Giants reporters, predicting a quick contract resolution.
“We’ve had a longstanding conversation and offer out there that we’ve adjusted a number of times. Because we were pursuing other players didn’t mean we weren’t interested in Barry.”
To emphasize his point, Sabean explained that if the Giants had been successful in signing free agent Carlos Lee it would not have precluded them from bringing back Bonds. Borris was expected to meet with the Giants about Bonds late Monday night.
He has maintained there are several teams interested in Bonds, who sits 21 home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron’s career home run record. The only clubs linked to Bonds this winter have been the A’s, who are focusing more on Mike Piazza, and the Padres, considered a lukewarm suitor.
Trade winds and rumors
There is buzz swirling around more than Jason Jennings’ name. Manny Ramirez’s rumored trade to the Dodgers continued to gain momentum. The Dodgers represent the best match because of their available young talent, including reliever Jonathan Broxton.
Said Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd, who was with the Indians when Ramirez broke in: “He’s a special hitter. He’s not someone we would look forward to seeing (19 times).”
The Giants were active Monday, re-signing infielder Rich Aurilia to a two-year deal and infielder Pedro Feliz to a one-year deal and agreeing in principle on a three- year deal with catcher Bengie Molina. The Padres also were pushing to sign pitcher Greg Maddux. Maddux finished last season with the Dodgers. David Weathers is likely to re-sign with the Reds, helping to fortify their bullpen.
Footnotes
Major League Baseball will hold the inaugural Civil Rights game in Memphis, Tenn., on March 31 between the Cardinals and Indians. … The Rangers have interest in Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes as a utility player if he becomes available. … Reliever Keith Foulke has attracted interest from five teams and has not ruled out a return to the Red Sox.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
