NEW YORK — Barry Bonds will stay with the San Francisco Giants, deciding Wednesday to accept the team's offer of salary arbitration.

        Bonds, who became a free agent after hitting a record 73 home runs, could wind up with a one-year contract worth at least $20 million. He would prefer to sign a multiyear deal, said his agent, Scott Boras.

        “Barry will continue to work toward that,” Boras said.

        Bonds, 37, faced a midnight Wednesday deadline to accept the Giants' offer of salary arbitration.

        Juan Gonzalez, Chan Ho Park and Johnny Damon were among the other big-name free agents who faced the deadline.

        Free agents who accept are considered signed for next season. Those rejecting the offers can negotiate with their former teams through Jan.8.

        Bonds earned his record fourth MVP award this year, but the Giants were the only team to publicly admit making an offer to him.

        “Barry had many things to consider,” Boras said.

        Boras, also represents Park, who was offered arbitration by Los Angeles, and outfielder Johnny Damon, who was offered arbitration by Oakland.

        “We haven't made any decisions yet,” Boras said about his other clients.

        This year Bonds had one of the greatest seasons in baseball history, breaking previous record of 70 homers, set by Mark McGwire three years ago. Bonds also had an .863 slugging percentage and 177 walks, breaking season marks held by Babe Ruth.

        He became the first four-time Most Valuable Player winner and was thought to be seeking a five-year contract worth $20 million or more annually, but teams were wary because of his age and lack of success in the postseason, where he has a .196 average (19-for-97) with one homer and six RBI.

        Second baseman Bret Boone also accepted arbitration from Seattle. His agent, Adam Katz, attempted to negotiate a multiyear deal, but the Mariners would guarantee only three years, not four.

        “Negotiations are ongoing, and we're still hopeful we can come to terms on a multiyear deal,” Katz said.

        Juan Gonzalez rejected Cleveland's offer of arbitration. His agent, Jeff Moorad, said negotiations probably will stretch past Christmas and that the Indians remain long shots.

        “The door remains cracked open,” Moorad said. “Mark Shapiro (Cleveland's general manager) and I talked at some length today and agreed to stay in touch regarding Juan. At the same time, as I thought it might, ramped up this week. And we have begun to talk more specifically about other teams about what a multiyear contract for Juan might look like.”

        CUBS:

        The team and Moises Alou finalized an agreement on a $27 million, three-year deal, with a mutual option for the 2005 season.

        “This is one of the teams I wanted to be part of,” Alou, a four-time All-Star, said. “To be part of this team with a great tradition and great fans and a very good town for baseball and sports, to be part of that feels very good.”

        The Cubs were looking for a left fielder and No.5 hitter to replace Rondell White, who finalized a $10 million, two-year deal with the New York Yankees Monday. But it was White's departure that made it financially possible for the Cubs to sign Alou.

        And Sosa did his part to get his friend to Chicago. Alou said Sosa called him “five or six times” last week to encourage him to sign with the Cubs.

        “Everyone in the Dominican Republic is really excited about me being a Cub and me playing with Sammy,” Alou said.

        Alou is expected to hit behind Sammy Sosa and Fred McGriff, giving the Cubs one of the National League's best 3-4-5 combinations. Alou tied for third in the National League with a .331 average and had 27 homers and 108 RBI for Houston last season.

        • The Cubs traded outfielder Michael Tucker to Kansas City for a player to be named.

        Tucker batted .263 with five homers and 31 RBI in 63 games with the Cubs after being traded from Cincinnati on July 20. He hit .252 with 12 homers and 61 RBI in 149 total games overall last season and had 16 stolen bases and hit eight triples.

        But Tucker, who exercised his contract option last month, was due to make $2.25 million next season. The Cubs now can put that money toward Alou's contract.

        “It would be disingenuous for us to suggest this had nothing to do with (Alou),” said Andy MacPhail, the Cubs president and general manager. “We had to clear up some payroll.”

        RANGERS:

        Free agent pitcher Dave Burba agreed to a $2million, one-year contract with Texas, which also signed newly acquired reliever John Rocker to a $2.5 million, one-year deal to avoid salary arbitration.

        Burba, a 35-year-old right-hander, was 8-2 after 13 starts last season for Cleveland, then went 2-8 and was demoted to the bullpen. He was coming off a career-best 16 wins in 2000.

        Burba, who has won at least 10 games the last seven seasons, became a free agent after the World Series. He has a career record of 105-80 with Seattle, San Francisco, Cincinnati and the Indians.

        Rocker, who made $1.9 million last season, was acquired from the Indians Tuesday for minor-league pitcher David Elder. Rocker's deal is not guaranteed.

        METS:

        Outfielder Benny Agbayani avoided arbitration and agreed to a $600,000, one-year contract with New York.

        Agbayani, 29, hit .277 with 14 doubles, two triples, six homers and 27 RBI in 91 games last season. He can earn $350,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances: $50,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 plus $100,000 for 550.
       The Mets also agreed to minor-league contracts with infielder-outfielder Mark Johnson and left-hander Bobby M. Jones and invited then to spring training as non-roster players.

        Johnson, 35, hit .254 (30-for-118) with six homers and 23 RBI last season. Jones, 29, missed last season because of injuries.

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