Bonds seeks work, files for free agency

The home run king is looking for a job. Barry Bonds filed for free agency Monday on the first possible day after the World Series ended with Boston's sweep of the Colorado Rockies on Sunday night.

That means the slugger's tenure with San Francisco is now over. Giants owner Peter Magowan told him last month the club would not bring him back for a 16th season.

Yet the 43-year-old Bonds, with 762 career homers, said last week he isn't ruling out a change of heart by his longtime employer.

"I told Peter Magowan, 'If I'm a part-time player, I'm still better than your full-time player, and it's a wise idea to keep me,'" Bonds told a group of about 450 people in the audience of a speaking forum last week in San Francisco. "We still have time. Things might change."

Bonds broke Hank Aaron's home run record with No. 756 on Aug. 7, and he has been a big reason the Giants have drawn more than 3 million fans in all eight years of their waterfront ballpark's existence.

Bonds' departure apparently isn't sitting well. He was reminded of his long list of accolades — a record seven NL MVPs, 14 All-Star game selections, eight Gold Glove awards — and asked whether he really accomplished all of that during his 22-year big league career.

"I did, and then I got fired," Bonds said to that same group. "Shame on me, huh?"

San Francisco third baseman Pedro Feliz also was among the 57 players who filed Monday. The Giants could become a suitor of Alex Rodriguez — though many wonder whether the organization would be willing to pay the kind of money the infielder will demand, even with Bonds' mega salary no longer in the mix. A-Rod's agent, Scott Boras, announced on Sunday night during Game 4 of the World Series that he would opt out of the final three seasons of his contract with the New York Yankees.

Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, who along with Rodriguez filed for free agency Monday, will be another player on San Francisco's radar. But if the Giants are interested, they will be one of what is expected to be a handful of teams courting the cordial star.

Also Monday, the Giants selected longtime baseball executive John Barr to be a special assistant to general manger Brian Sabean. Barr will oversee amateur and professional scouting. Doug Mapson was promoted to coordinator of amateur scouting.