ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dusty Baker walked out of the visitors' clubhouse at Edison Field carrying his 3½-year-old son, both father and child uncertain of their baseball futures.

The Giants' 4-1 loss to Anaheim in Game 7 of the World Series on Sunday night could have been Baker's final hurrah in a San Francisco uniform, and for some of his key players, too. And as for his son, Darren, baseball officials likely will discuss whether there should be an age limit for bat boys after his near accident at home plate in Game 5.

The Giants were so close to the franchise's first World Series championship in 48 years. On Saturday, San Francisco held a 5-0 lead in the seventh inning before the Angels launched the biggest comeback ever by a team facing elimination.

Now that the season is over, the Giants could be different within days.

Baker, whose contract is up, hoped to hear a lot earlier that the Giants wanted him back.

''I don't know right now,'' he said after finishing his 10th season as Giants manager. ''My gut right now, it's just heavy.''

The 53-year-old Baker, who took the Giants to their first World Series since 1989, said early in the playoffs that he did not intend to ''break the bank'' -- meaning the $6 million a year Joe Torre got from the Yankees -- ''but I want to be near the bank.''

Many managerial jobs have already been filled, but there still remain attractive openings with Seattle and the Chicago Cubs.

Baker isn't the only Giant who could be leaving. Second baseman Jeff Kent must decide whether to leave San Francisco as a free agent.

And general manager Brian Sabean will be awaiting a call from owner Peter Magowan to work out a new deal. Magowan is leaving the managerial decision to the GM.

If Baker leaves, it would be the end of an era that began when he arrived in San Francisco before the 1993 season. He led the Giants to 103 wins his first year -- but they didn't make the playoffs.

The Giants won the NL West in 1997 and 2000, but didn't win a playoff series until his team knocked off Atlanta and St. Louis to reach the World Series this year.

The likable Baker would be missed for the way he handled personalities in the clubhouse, allowed players' sons to run around the dugout and for his friendly interaction with fans.

''The guy has meant so much to the city, the area, the last 10 years of managing its ballclub,'' pitching coach Dave Righetti said. ''He's done a terrific job. He's brought a lot of spirit. The organization has definitely prospered because of Dusty Baker. If that day comes (when he leaves), which I'm truly honest I don't know, it would be very sad.''

Kent, the 2000 NL MVP, could be one of the top free agents on the market after prospering for six years in San Francisco.

Closer Robb Nen, third baseman David Bell, right fielder Reggie Sanders and center fielder Kenny Lofton also could leave via free agency.

''Guys realize what it took to get to this point,'' Bell said. ''We wanted it really bad and we have to make sure we get another chance. A lot of players don't know where they're going to be. I hope the best for everybody.''

As long as Bonds is in the Giants' lineup, they'll be a team worth watching.

Bonds led the majors with a .370 average, hit 46 home runs and put to rest any questions about his poor postseason past. The 38-year-old Bonds hit .356 with eight homers, 16 RBI and 27 walks in the postseason.

But what October showed is that the Giants need more capable hitters behind Bonds to make the opposition pitch to him.

''It's not going to haunt us,'' Bonds said. ''We'll go to spring training and start again.''