Jon Heyman at SI.com gives us the latest on the Barry Bonds* saga. Bonds, MLB’s all-time home run leader, is waiting patiently back in his Beverly Hills home waiting for his phone to ring, and for someone to make him an offer. Apparently, even with all the baggage he has, Bonds* can’t believe that nobody has come calling for his services yet.

Bonds*, who sported a ridiculous 1.045 OPS last season for the Giants, hasn’t even been offered the major-league minimum of $390,000. Said his agent Jeff Boris, “No team has made an offer at any price at any time. That’s a simple fact. At this point in time, no club has even offered the minimum salary. And even though the minimum salary wouldn’t be a bona fide offer for a player of his stature, it’s beyond comprehension that no team [has made] such an offer.” Boris called rumors that Bonds* is looking for a salary in the $10 million “completely false.” The league minimum salary would be a $18.8 million paycut from what Bonds* made in 2007.

At different points, it seemed like Bonds* had shots at landing with the Cardinals or Rangers - ideas brought up by the team’s respecitive managers - but the notions were shot down by their owners. The idea of Bonds* landing with the Tampa Bays Rays even surfaced during Spring Training, but it faded quickly.

Jeff Boris has hinted at collusion among the owners in not signing his client. I don’t think I’d go that far… but teams definitely are extremely hesitent to bring the media circus that will surround Bonds* to their clubhouse. And who can blame them.

Filed under: San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers