Barry Bonds, still a free agent as the calendar turns to February, remains adamant about wanting to play in 2008.
"He is unequivocally not retiring," Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, told FOXSports.com.
Bonds, 43, is under indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice. He asked a federal judge last week to dismiss the charges.
Borris declined comment when asked if he was speaking with clubs about Bonds, who will not return to the Giants after 15 seasons in San Francisco.
Any team that signed Bonds would face a torrent of negative publicity, the likely disapproval of commissioner Bud Selig and the possibility that Bonds could miss time if he is required to appear in court.
Such a team, however, could justify its decision by pointing out that Kobe Bryant continued playing for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers during the 2003-04 season after being charged with sexual assault.
Bryant occasionally would appear in court in Colorado during the day, then fly to an NBA city for a game that night. The case against Bryant eventually was dismissed.
Bonds' trial, in contrast, might not start until after the season, making him available for all 162 games. If he signed with an American League team, he could play both outfield and serve as a designated hitter.
The A's were believed to be interested in Bonds before he was indicted on Nov. 15, but since then the team has initiated a major rebuilding program, trading pitcher Dan Haren and outfielders Nick Swisher and Mark Kotsay for younger players.
The Padres, another team that once had interest in Bonds, still are not set in left field, but seem determined to go with inexpensive players. Other teams, as well, could use a left-handed hitter, but none is believed to be pursuing Bonds.
Bonds, 25 plate appearances short of qualifying for the league leaders last season, would have ranked first in the majors by a wide margin with his .480 on-base percentage and tied Miguel Cabrera for 11th with his .565 slugging percentage.
Bonds appeared in 126 games, batting .276 with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs. He broke Hank Aaron's all-time home-run record on Aug. 7, and finished the season with 762 homers.
"He is unequivocally not retiring," Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, told FOXSports.com.
Bonds, 43, is under indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice. He asked a federal judge last week to dismiss the charges.
Borris declined comment when asked if he was speaking with clubs about Bonds, who will not return to the Giants after 15 seasons in San Francisco.
Any team that signed Bonds would face a torrent of negative publicity, the likely disapproval of commissioner Bud Selig and the possibility that Bonds could miss time if he is required to appear in court.
Such a team, however, could justify its decision by pointing out that Kobe Bryant continued playing for the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers during the 2003-04 season after being charged with sexual assault.
Bryant occasionally would appear in court in Colorado during the day, then fly to an NBA city for a game that night. The case against Bryant eventually was dismissed.
Bonds' trial, in contrast, might not start until after the season, making him available for all 162 games. If he signed with an American League team, he could play both outfield and serve as a designated hitter.
The A's were believed to be interested in Bonds before he was indicted on Nov. 15, but since then the team has initiated a major rebuilding program, trading pitcher Dan Haren and outfielders Nick Swisher and Mark Kotsay for younger players.
The Padres, another team that once had interest in Bonds, still are not set in left field, but seem determined to go with inexpensive players. Other teams, as well, could use a left-handed hitter, but none is believed to be pursuing Bonds.
Bonds, 25 plate appearances short of qualifying for the league leaders last season, would have ranked first in the majors by a wide margin with his .480 on-base percentage and tied Miguel Cabrera for 11th with his .565 slugging percentage.
Bonds appeared in 126 games, batting .276 with 28 home runs and 66 RBIs. He broke Hank Aaron's all-time home-run record on Aug. 7, and finished the season with 762 homers.
