SAN FRANCISCO -- In the end, Barry Bonds found his best deal in the Bay.

	Barry Bonds Left Field San Francisco Giants Profile
	2001 SEASON STATISTICS GM HR RBI BB SO AVG 153 73 137 177 93 .328

Eager to sign a multiyear contract but unable to draw a bunch of megabucks offers, the new home-run king put aside his free agent pursuit Wednesday and decided to remain with the San Francisco Giants.

Bonds accepted the Giants' offer of salary arbitration several hours before a midnight ET deadline. Now considered a signed player, he could wind up with a one-year contract worth at least $20 million.

"I'm glad he accepted it and that he'll be back with us for at least one more year," Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti said. "He said all along he wanted to finish his career here and wanted to play here."

After hitting 73 home runs, breaking Babe Ruth's single-season marks for slugging percentage and walks, and winning his record fourth MVP award, Bonds hoped to cash in.

But the 37-year-old outfielder was not showered with many lucrative offers. Instead, the only public bid came earlier this month from the Giants, a proposal said to be worth $72 million over four years -- with much of the money deferred.

If the sides don't agree to a deal, they would exchange proposed salaries on Jan. 18, and a hearing before a panel of three arbitrators would be scheduled for the first three weeks of February.

Bonds still would prefer to sign a multiyear deal, said his agent, Scott Boras.

"Barry will continue to work toward that," Boras said Wednesday.

San Francisco is interested in a long-term contract because part of the money could be either backloaded of deferred.

There was early speculation that the New York Yankees and Mets might be interested. But Bonds' price -- he was said to be seeking $100 million over five years -- his age and his reputation as a selfish teammate probably scared away some potential suitors.

"Barry had many things to consider," Boras said.

San Francisco improved its offer last week.

"We made an initial offer," Colletti said. "They have come back with their view of the world. I talked to Scott last Thursday in Boston and increased our offer. He listened and didn't respond then."

The Giants didn't know Bonds would accept until Wednesday afternoon. Boras told him there was at least one other bid.

"Scott told me he had had a five-year offer," Colletti said. "I take him at his word. I don't know from where or from who."

In the final season of a $30.7 million, three-year extension, Bonds broke loose for one of the greatest power displays in baseball history.

Bonds had an .863 slugging percentage and 177 walks, batting .328 with 137 RBI.

On the final weekend of the season, Bonds broke Mark McGwire's record of 70 home runs set in 1998. In ceremonies held on the field at Pacific Bell Park after hitting No. 71, Giants fans shouted "Sign him! Sign him!" when team owner Peter Magowan took the podium.