Bonds has Aaron's record in his sights

He led a first-day list of 59 players also including Oakland designated hitter Frank Thomas and LA Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra.

Bonds, 42, has 734 career home runs - 21 short of Hank Aaron's all-time mark.

He has said he wants to play on despite being dogged by injuries in recent seasons as well as being linked to MLB's steroids scandal.

Bonds has reached the end of his five-year, $90m deal with the Giants, who are planning to overhaul their personnel.

San Francisco began that process Friday, signing Bruce Bochy to a three-year deal as manager.

Thomas, a two-time American League MVP, signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with Oakland last winter.

After a slow start, the 38-year-old enjoyed a good season, batting .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI.

Garciaparra won the National League Comeback Player of the Year after batting .303 with 20 homers and 93 RBI as the Dodgers grabbed a wild card spot.

Under baseball's new collective agreement, free agents no longer have any deadlines in which to re-sign with their former teams.