Agent: Bonds Will Play in '07

Sept. 27, 2006 — -- Barry Bonds, who is only 21 home runs behind Hank Aaron, will play in 2007, his agent told the Los Angeles Times.

"Barry's going to play in 2007," Jeff Borris of Beverly Hills Sports Council told the paper on Tuesday. "I've had many discussions with Barry and he's going to play. My intentions are to see to it he's in a big-league uniform next season. Those are my marching orders."

Contract talks with the Giants could begin next week.

Bonds, who is finishing up a five-year, $90 million deal, plans to play sparingly in the season's final week now that the Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The slugger said he would likely take Wednesday's day game against Arizona off, then play Friday night in the series opener with the rival Dodgers -- and perhaps a few innings Saturday.

"I have every reason to believe the Giants will contact me as soon as the season ends," Borris told the Times.

The 42-year-old Bonds has 734 home runs -- Aaron's career record is 755 -- and has played significantly better since the All-Star break. He is hitting .382 (34-for-89) with 10 home runs, 26 RBI and 18 walks in his last 28 games and has raised his batting average from .235 to .271 during that stretch.

His troublesome knees have held up well lately despite playing 128 games, but Bonds still has bone chips floating in his left elbow that cause him pain. The cooler Bay Area nights -- like Tuesday -- are more difficult for the seven-time NL MVP, too.

"My elbow is going to be fine for the rest of my life," he said. "It's the same."

Bonds was limited to 14 games, all in September, last season following three operations on his right knee.

He has already packed the majority of his belongings to send back to his home in Beverly Hills. He joked about boxing up his bats, too. This could be his final homestand with the Giants if the team doesn't bring him back.

Team owner Peter Magowan said the issue would be addressed after the season. Many think the club will try to keep Bonds for a 22nd major league season and 15th with the Giants because San Francisco hosts the All-Star Game next season and wouldn't want to watch Bonds break Aaron's record in another uniform.