Could Bonds Play With the M's? [J. Mark English]

SEATTLE (AP) -- It took less than a day for slowing superstar Barry Bonds to field the inevitable question, a tantalizing one that has been bouncing around baseball for months.

Has he thought about moving to the AL and becoming a designated hitter next season to continue his pursuit of Hank Aaron's career home run record? And would he consider doing it in Seattle, where he hit his 718th homer Friday night -- leaving him 37 behind Aaron's mark?

"I can't answer that until the winter comes up," Bonds said late Friday night after striking out to end a 5-4 San Francisco loss.

But he added that he liked playing in Safeco Field, calling it "a great ballpark."

No wonder. Entering Saturday's game, he had two home runs in four regular-season games at the stadium.

"If they call me, then we'll talk," Bonds said of the Mariners, almost teasingly and with a wide grin.