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Barry Bonds would never admit it, but his numbers are just as important to him as a World Series ring.

Reaching 3,000 hits and extending his career home-run mark will be enough to bring the controversial slugger back in 2008.

In all likelihood, Bonds will probably play across the Bay in Oakland, where he can DH full time and not worry about testing his aching knees in left field. Playing in Oakland will also allow him to stay close to home and allow the A's to gain some regional marketing power, which has been dominated by the Giants for the past decade.

Bonds was probably not thrilled with the way the Giants management told him that he was not in the team's plans for next year. But if Bonds really wants to win a World Series ring, he should have bolted to another team last year.

The Giants are indeed in a rebuilding mode, and Bonds would have no chance to win that elusive ring in San Francisco. The only reason to return would be to retire in a Giants uniform.

Surely, Bonds is also thinking about Alex Rodriguez, who is currently on pace to eclipse 750 career home runs in five or six years.

Bonds wants his place in history and coming back for another season - even if his body isn't up for it - is a no-brainer.

Learn more about this author, Ethen Kim Lieser.
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