Agent: Bonds could snap fingers and have a new deal

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) _ Barry Bonds' agent said Thursday the free agent slugger could sign a new contract whenever he wants. <br/><br/>``He could snap his fingers and get a deal done,''

Thursday, December 7th 2006, 9:59 am

By: News On 6

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida (AP) _ Barry Bonds' agent said Thursday the free agent slugger could sign a new contract whenever he wants.

``He could snap his fingers and get a deal done,'' Jeff Borris said.

Currently, Bonds and his former team, the San Francisco Giants, were still very far apart on a deal, with the seven-time NL MVP hoping for a contract of about $18 million.

Borris would not confirm which teams, other than the Giants, are involved, though the St. Louis Cardinals apparently have made their interest known.

Bonds met Wednesday with his former Pirates manager and now-Detroit skipper Jim Leyland, who is close friends with St. Louis manager Tony La Russa.

``I really can't comment on any offers that have been made,'' said Borris, who was leaving the winter meetings Thursday morning. ``There's no sense of urgency. I can't predict any timetable. The Giants have always been in play. My gut doesn't indicate one way or another right now (where he will sign).''

Bonds has spent 14 of his 21 seasons with San Francisco and helped the Giants draw 3 million fans in all seven seasons of their waterfront ballpark's existence.

The arrival of Bonds at the winter meetings Wednesday caused quite a stir.

``All of the reporting about him being here looking for work was the most insane, absurd and irresponsible journalism of 2006, but it was entertaining to read,'' Borris said.

Bonds has 734 home runs, 22 from breaking Hank Aaron's career record of 755. After missing all but 14 games in 2005 following three operations on his right knee, Bonds batted .270 with 26 homers and 77 RBIs in 367 at-bats in 2006.

He passed Babe Ruth to move into second place on the career home run list May 28.