SAN FRANCISCO -- Considering the length of his ongoing right knee rehabilitation, Giants slugger Barry Bonds said this week for the first time that he could play into the 2007 season if he's close to Hank Aaron's all-time home run record.

"I've played all these scenarios over and over again in my head," Bonds told MLB.com. "I've always thought it would take the better part of two seasons before I passed Hank. If I'm within striking distance in 2007, I plan to play. Who knows how important Hank's record is? But as long as I'm healthy, I want to give it a try."

At 703 homers, Bonds is third on the all-time list, 52 behind Aaron's 755 and only 11 in arrears of Babe Ruth's 714. He'll be 41 on July 24 and is under contract with the Giants through 2006 for a base salary of $18 million next season. He could become a free agent after that.

"It might not be here," Bonds said about where he'd play in 2007. "But I'd hope the Giants would still want me. I'd like to finish my career in this shirt."

Giants general manager Brian Sabean said on Thursday that 2007 seemed like a long way off right now, considering Bonds' current condition. Sabean met with Bonds on Wednesday and had a lengthy discussion about his possible re-entry this season.

"I don't even know how you have an intelligent answer to that," said Sabean, when asked about Bonds continuing to play for the Giants beyond 2006. "The first goal -- and I talked to him for more than an hour yesterday -- is to get him back in some form this year. What that means remains to be seen as well as what kind of building block it is for next year."

Bonds figured to have passed Ruth and be right on Aaron's tail by now, but he has been sidelined all season recovering from three arthroscopic surgeries within three months on his right knee.

He's now at the stage where he's waiting for the swelling to completely go down so he can begin running in earnest for the first time since Spring Training. If that works, he'll go on to baseball activities with a possible return sometime in late July or early August.

That is, if there are no other setbacks.

Sabean said that Bonds "had an open mind" about a number of scenarios regarding his return, including a Minor League rehab assignment or a period of time at the Giants' summer league camp in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"He's getting pretty antsy," Sabean said. "He knows he's getting better and he's trying to gauge what level of strength he's at, how much pain he can tolerate. It's a black hole, obviously. He didn't have any Spring Training. How do we integrate him again in baseball activities? It's confusing."

Bond said Tuesday that he was sure he won't be ready to play by the July 11 All-Star break, and for good reason. He'll need at least three solid weeks of training before he's activated.

Barry Bonds  /   LF
		Born: 07/24/64 Height: 6'2" Weight: 230 lbs Bats: L / Throws: L More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

"I don't know what everyone expects: me to go out there, take a few swings and then start playing? It's not going to happen like that," Bonds said. "When my knee is ready and I can start running, I'm going to need at least three good weeks to get into baseball shape. It can't happen overnight."

Bonds' knee was swollen Tuesday, but appeared more normal Wednesday. He said that's simply the result of having undergone three procedures on the knee since Jan. 31. The first was to remove torn meniscus. So was the second, on March 17, coming after Bonds had progressed far enough to take batting practice and sprint in the outfield at Scottsdale Stadium.

Ultimately, a bacterial infection invaded the knee, putting his lower right leg in jeopardy. The knee was flushed with antibiotics on May 2 and Bonds has been recuperating ever since.

"When he comes back, the big thing will be keeping him out there," said Stan Conte, the Giants trainer. "There shouldn't be a parade the day after he comes back. We're just trying to get him 100 percent ready. If it's August, fine. If it's November, fine. If it's February, that's fine, too."

How long the rehab process plays out is evidently an element in how long Bonds will continue to play.

Bonds had originally figured he'd pass Aaron sometime in 2006, putting a fitting exclamation point on what will then be a 21-year career. At the end of that season, he planned to ride off into the sunset. Not now, perhaps.

He said winning the World Series before 2007 might be one good reason to end his career whether he's passed Aaron or not.

"In that case, I might take my rings and my trophies and go home for good," he said. "I don't care how many homers I'm behind Hank. In my mind, the next 12 are the big ones anyway. Babe Ruth changed the game. Hank's the greatest home run hitter of all time. I'm not sure where I fit in, how history will regard me."

Sans a World Series title, though, Bonds reiterated that he'll continue to pursue Aaron through the 2007 season.