savafan
02-10-2007, 04:39 PM
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/496263p-418201c.html
BY T.J. QUINN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
With teams preparing for spring training next week, the Giants still are in a staring contest with their left fielder.
San Francisco's position players are scheduled to have their first workout a week from Tuesday, but Barry Bonds still refuses to sign his revised contract for $15.8 million.
"Basically it ends when Bonds blinks," a baseball source said. "If he refuses to play, he can be declared ineligible."
After Bonds and the Giants agreed to a one-year deal 10 days ago, the commissioner's office rejected a minor portion of the contract on the basis that a clause on promotional appearances violated the basic labor agreement. While Bonds has refused to sign the revised deal, MLB and Players Association officials have said that the seven-time National League MVP essentially is under contract and is bound to play for the Giants if he plays at all.
Bonds, 22 home runs away from passing Hank Aaron as baseball's all-time leader, could force a legal battle if he tries to negotiate with other clubs, but several major league executives and GMs have said they are not aware of any teams willing to sign the troubled slugger, despite what his agent, Jeff Borris, has claimed.
Sources have said Bonds' real issue is the fact that the press learned about language that lets the Giants terminate his contract if he is indicted on federal perjury or tax-evasion charges. Union officials have said the clause is "unenforceable," but MLB officials appear to be willing to test it as a way to dent players' iron-clad guaranteed contracts.
Giants officials did not return messages yesterday and Thursday, but a source said principal owner Peter Magowan has been in constant contact with the commissioner's office over the past week. Commissioner Bud Selig has not hidden his famous antipathy toward Bonds, but when interviewed by reporters in San Francisco Thursday, he said the contract dispute is not his problem.
"This is a matter between the Giants and Barry," he told The Associated Press. "As far as I'm concerned, as long as things that are being done are in the best interest of the sport, whether it's contractual or anything else, I don't make those judgments."
BY T.J. QUINN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
With teams preparing for spring training next week, the Giants still are in a staring contest with their left fielder.
San Francisco's position players are scheduled to have their first workout a week from Tuesday, but Barry Bonds still refuses to sign his revised contract for $15.8 million.
"Basically it ends when Bonds blinks," a baseball source said. "If he refuses to play, he can be declared ineligible."
After Bonds and the Giants agreed to a one-year deal 10 days ago, the commissioner's office rejected a minor portion of the contract on the basis that a clause on promotional appearances violated the basic labor agreement. While Bonds has refused to sign the revised deal, MLB and Players Association officials have said that the seven-time National League MVP essentially is under contract and is bound to play for the Giants if he plays at all.
Bonds, 22 home runs away from passing Hank Aaron as baseball's all-time leader, could force a legal battle if he tries to negotiate with other clubs, but several major league executives and GMs have said they are not aware of any teams willing to sign the troubled slugger, despite what his agent, Jeff Borris, has claimed.
Sources have said Bonds' real issue is the fact that the press learned about language that lets the Giants terminate his contract if he is indicted on federal perjury or tax-evasion charges. Union officials have said the clause is "unenforceable," but MLB officials appear to be willing to test it as a way to dent players' iron-clad guaranteed contracts.
Giants officials did not return messages yesterday and Thursday, but a source said principal owner Peter Magowan has been in constant contact with the commissioner's office over the past week. Commissioner Bud Selig has not hidden his famous antipathy toward Bonds, but when interviewed by reporters in San Francisco Thursday, he said the contract dispute is not his problem.
"This is a matter between the Giants and Barry," he told The Associated Press. "As far as I'm concerned, as long as things that are being done are in the best interest of the sport, whether it's contractual or anything else, I don't make those judgments."