Barry interesting?

Most likely, Barry Bonds is going back to the Giants. GM Brian Sabean came out Monday sounding almost apologetic, saying they never meant to make it appear they didn't want him. Agent Jeff Borris confirmed they were talking  - "talking a lot.'  And another round of discussions - if not serious negotiations - started at about 1 a.m. Tuesday.

But that may not have stopped the Rays from at least raising THE issue - that they might be interested in signing the controversial slugger.

The Rays met Monday night with representatives from the Beverly Hills Sports Council. The agents that make up the council represent a number of veteran relievers that are among those the Rays likely have interest in, including Octavio Dotel, Matt Herges, Rick White, Keith Foulke, and Arthur Rhodes.

And - through Borris - they also represent Bonds.

"We met with the Rays tonight,'' Borris said in the lobby of the main winter meetings hotel around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday. "But I don't want to say if we talked about Barry or not. I want to respect their privacy.''

If the Rays did express interest, they were probably well aware it was a long shot.

Borris said Bonds' desire has been to go to a team with a good shot to get to the postseason, which the Rays are not. And while Bonds is going to get a hefty contract probably in excess of $10-million, the Rays likely would have wanted to base any deal heavily on incentives to protect them should Bonds be injured or unavailable to play due to certain legal or other issues.

At the least, it's an interesting idea.