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SAN FRANCISCO -- Free-agent reliever Scott Eyre hasn't ruled out a return to the San Francisco Giants, though he is eager to test the market and find the best possible deal.

He realizes that could come elsewhere.

The Giants have offered Eyre a two-year contract with a club option, but he's hoping for at least three years guaranteed. He said "a bunch" of teams have called expressing interest.

"I want to see what other teams are going to be offering," Eyre said Tuesday in a phone interview from his home in Bradenton, Fla. "It's hard to say what the market's going to be. I feel like I've pitched well enough to deserve to find out what I am worth. If the Giants make something nice, I'll consider it very heavily."

San Francisco general manager Brian Sabean said before leaving for this week's GM meetings that he wanted to get something done with Eyre, yet also acknowledged it would be a tough task. The pitcher can begin negotiating with other teams Friday and has said he wouldn't mind working closer to home.

The New York Yankees, looking for bullpen help this offseason, are one team that might fancy the 33-year-old lefty.

"He's going to have choices," said Eyre's agent, Tommy Tanzer. "All 30 teams have called. I've never seen anything like it. In my 23 years, I've never seen where every team wants the guy. He's going to be able to get whatever he wants. There are so many choices, we're not going to rush into things. Scott's the kind of kid who wants to be comfortable in the clubhouse."

Eyre made a career-high 86 appearances in 2005, going 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 68 1-3 innings. He struck out 65 batters and walked 26. Several of his Giants teammates -- Noah Lowry, Jack Taschner and Brad Hennessey -- have called begging him to stay.

Eyre definitely has been happy in the Bay Area since the Giants claimed him off waivers from Toronto in August 2002. He pitched during the team's World Series run that year.

"They're still on my list, No. 1 on the list," Eyre said. "I guess you could say with the people I've talked to, I'm trying to get three years and my agent thinks I could get more."

Eyre made $1,605,000 last season, including $90,000 in bonuses based on appearances.

For now, he wants to focus on his family. He and his wife, Laura, will weigh their options and determine the right move for the couple and their sons, 7-year-old Caleb and 5-year-old Jacob. Eyre has been fishing, playing with his new puppy, Lily, and was cooking tacos for his kids for dinner Tuesday night.

"Doing all the dad things I like to do," he said. "I want to be happy, and it will be mine and my wife's decision. I have the opportunity, not to pick where I want to play, but there have been a few phone calls. Every fan should know I love San Francisco. How could you not? But if something comes up where I can play closer to home and it's going to be a fun clubhouse and something like San Francisco, it's going to be a tough decision to turn down.

"If people don't understand that, they don't love their kids like I do. Everything works out for a reason. I hope things work out for the best for everybody. We'll see what happens. It's a lot of stress, but I'm not complaining."

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index