Bonds signs Giants deal

Bonds, 42, the holder of a record seven Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player awards, is just 22 home runs shy of Hank Aaron's career record of 755.

At the same time, the BALCO doping scandal has badly tarnished his reputation after his personal trainer Greg Anderson was jailed on steroid distribution charges.

Bonds faces a continuing federal probe into whether the left fielder lied to a BALCO grand jury about his past links to steroids.

A statement from the Giants president lacked the usual enthusiasm surrounding such announcements.

"The process of negotiating this contract was complex, lengthy and highly unconventional," Peter Magowan, president and managing general partner said.

"We spent significant time evaluating all of the elements and circumstances surrounding the negotiations before we made a final determination to move forward."

Media reports in December said the team had agreed to a $15.8 million deal, but then an expected announcement was long delayed.

News earlier this month that Bonds had failed a test for amphetamines last season has cast further doubt about the future of a player who has long denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

"The agreement was finalized only after we achieved reasonable assurances and protections, and only after we were convinced that the Giants' players will be able to function as a team committed to supporting each other and dedicated to doing everything they can to succeed on the playing field," Magowan said.

Bonds joined the San Francisco Giants in 1993 immediately after a group of investors bought the team and the long association has proved bittersweet at times, with top officials clearly uncomfortable in recent years about repeated steroids allegations.

Bonds has also developed a reputation for surly relations with some of his team mates and others.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the new deal bars Bonds from bringing his personal trainers from the locker room.

The presence of such aides has long set the slugger apart from his other team mates as the entourage provided massages and other services to the superstar on the side of the locker room.

Bonds holds the MLB record for most home runs in a single season - 73.

He batted .270 with 26 home runs last season, including with a .454 on base percentage thanks to his ability to draw many walks from pitchers who still fear his home run power as he nears retirement.