[Brad K]

I should explain why Bonds is still a Pirate in 2005.

Bonds has asked for long term contracts and sometimes for less than market. In 1989, his first arbitration year, he signed for ten years starting at $1m going up to $1.9m for 1998. People who have played this era realize salaries increased a lot during these years and Bond's salary doubling during this time didn't come close to matching the market increases.

This is evident from his next contract which started at $8.5m in 1999. That was a five year deal that increased to $9.6m before dropping to $9m in 2005. The starting figure was a bit under market but without huge increases became a deal as average salaries increased.

Memory is that Bond made the list of 25 highest paid players twice, although it might be three times. But he was one of the top ten performers most of these years.

In 2006, for the first time, Bonds wants to be the highest paid player in baseball. Demand has varied during the season but has never been less than $29m. The Pirates 2005 payroll ranked 23rd (beginning of season) in MLB at $52m. With a goal of keeping the payroll in the bottom third signing Bonds for anywhere close to his demand doesn't work.

It was nice having Bonds for so long. But if I play the Bonds years again, I hope he bolts after six years so I can have a different experience.