2009 MLB Free Agents

2009 MLB Free Agents

By Tim Dierkes [December 20, 2007 at 4 CST]

Presenting...your 2009 free agent class. The players below are eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.

I've categorized them by position; the player's 2009 age is in parentheses. If I saw someone as a possibility at more than one position I put them at both. Feel free to email me at dierkes@gmail.com if anyone is missing or you find an error.

I have added official Type A/B statuses, based on information from ESPN and Keith Law.

Updated 12-2-08

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

2008 Tigers
Past Tigers (let me know if others have been Tigers)

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Josh Bard (31)
Michael Barrett (32)
Gary Bennett (37)
Henry Blanco (37)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Sal Fasano (37)
Toby Hall (33)
Paul Lo Duca (37) - Type B, not offered arb
Adam Melhuse (37)
Chad Moeller (34)
Ivan Rodriguez (37) - Type B, not offered arb
David Ross (32)
Javier Valentin (33)
Jason Varitek (37) - Type A, offered arb
Vance Wilson (36)
Gregg Zaun (38) - Type B, not offered arb

First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Miguel Cairo (35)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Sweeney (39)
Mark Teixeira (29) - Type A, offered arb
Daryle Ward (34)

Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Grudzielanek (39) - Type B, offered arb
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31) - Type A, offered arb
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41) - Type B, not offered arb
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37) - Type B, not offered arb
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Nick Punto (31)
Luis Rivas (29)

Shortstops
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Orlando Cabrera (34) - Type A, offered arb
Alex Cintron (30)
Alex Cora (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Chris Gomez (38)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Tomohiro Nioka (33)
Nick Punto (31)
Edgar Renteria (33) - Type A, not offered arb
Luis Rivas (29)
Juan Uribe (30) - Type B, not offered arb
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Omar Vizquel (42)

Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Casey Blake (35) - Type B, offered arb
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Aaron Boone (36)
Russell Branyan (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Mike Lamb (33)
Mark Loretta (37) - Type B, not offered arb
Ramon Martinez (36)
Pablo Ozuna (34)
Juan Uribe (30) - Type B, not offered arb
Ramon Vazquez (32)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42) - Type B, not offered arb
Garret Anderson (37) - Type B, not offered arb
Milton Bradley (31) - Type B, offered arb
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32) - Type A, not offered arb
Adam Dunn (29) - Type A, not offered arb
Cliff Floyd (36)
Luis Gonzalez (41) - Type B, not offered arb
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37) - Type A, offered arb
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33)
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Manny Ramirez (37) - Type A, offered arb
Juan Rivera (30)
So Taguchi (39)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Scott Podsednik (33)
So Taguchi (39)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35) - Type A, not offered arb
Casey Blake (35) - Type B, offered arb
Emil Brown (34)
Cliff Floyd (36)
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - Type B, not offered arb
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33)
Trot Nixon (35)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31) - Type B, offered arb
Cliff Floyd (36)
Jason Giambi (38)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) - Type B, not offered arb
Jose Vidro (34)

Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - Type A, offered arb
Paul Byrd (38) - Type B, offered arb
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29) - Type B, offered arb
Tom Glavine (43)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45) - Type B, not offered arb
Kenshin Kawakami (34)
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34) - Type B, not offered arb
Rodrigo Lopez (33)
Derek Lowe (36) - Type A, offered arb
Greg Maddux (43) - Type B, not offered arb
Pedro Martinez (37)
Jamie Moyer (46) - Type A, not offered arb
Mark Mulder (31)
John Parrish (31)
Carl Pavano (33)
Brad Penny (31) - Type B, not offered arb
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27) - Type A, offered arb
Andy Pettitte (37) - Type A, not offered arb
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Glendon Rusch (34)
C.C. Sabathia (28) - Type A, offered arb
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30) - Type A, offered arb
John Smoltz (42) - Type B, not offered arb
Koji Uehara (34)
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32) - Type B, not offered arb

Closers
Chad Cordero (27)
Brian Fuentes (33) - Type A, offered arb
Eric Gagne (33) - Type B, not offered arb
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41) - Type A, not offered arb
Jason Isringhausen (36) - Type B, not offered arb
Brandon Lyon (29) - Type B, offered arb
Francisco Rodriguez (27) - Type A, offered arb
Kerry Wood (32) - Type A, not offered arb

Middle relievers
Luis Ayala (31) - Type B, not offered arb
Joe Beimel (32) - Type B, not offered arb
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42) - Type A, not offered arb
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30) - Type A, offered arb
Elmer Dessens (37)
Brendan Donnelly (37)
Scott Elarton (33)
Alan Embree (39) - Type B, not offered arb
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Chad Fox (38)
Tom Gordon (41)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39)
Bob Howry (35) - Type A, not offered arb
Jorge Julio (30)
Jon Lieber (39)
Mike Lincoln (34)
Jason Johnson (35)
Trever Miller (36)
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38) - Type A, offered arb
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32) - Type B, offered arb
Arthur Rhodes (39) - Type B, not offered arb
Juan Rincon (30)
Ricardo Rincon (39)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Rudy Seanez (40) - Type B, not offered arb
Brian Shouse (40) - Type B, offered arb
Russ Springer (40) - Type A, not offered arb
Ken Takahashi (41)
Julian Tavarez (36)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39) - Type B, offered arb
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

MLB4Uand Cot's Baseball Contracts were used in the creation of this list.

I think we should look into Tek, Rafael Furcal, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and maybe even Wakefield.

It is sad Rent had a bad 1st half of the year, he is still one of the younger SS (age 33) available.

One suggestion has been Brian Roberts (age 31) ( Salary 2008: $6,300,000) of Balt. in a trade for Thames and/or Hessman. Move Roberts from 2nd to SS. Or Furcal (age 30) ($ 15 mil)(free agent)

Quote :

- David: on Detroit Tigers Weblog:
October 15th, 2008 at 11:26 pm

One guy I’ll begin rooting for them to get is Brian Roberts

Think of a fast Polanco

~He is year in year out rated as one of the best second basemen - fielding and offensively (thanks tangotiger fan fielding reports)

~Next year he’d probably get 40 steals

~He is a switch hitter

~Would hit lead off

~Would most likely be a all-star with us

Which would slide Granderson to 3, Ordonez back to 4 and Cabrera back to 5

You put him and Inge on the same side of the infield and nothing would get through

He is a free agent after this year so why not try and go after him, plus he is in his prime

find a few decent minor leaguers or Hessman or Thames or whoever and package them

then take the $$ and go after pitching and find a cheap backup catcher

SS Roberts S
2B Polanco R
CF Granderson L
RF Ordonez R
1B Cabrera R
LF?Guillen S
DH?Sheffield R
C??Ryan R
3B Inge R

Or go after Furcal who is a free agent, fast like Roberts a switch hitter and the same age- but hope he adjusts to AL pitching faster than Rentaria or Cabrera

And he seems to have a very strong arm, but not nearly as good accuracy as Roberts or walk as often then again he normally plays SS, I duno

Furcal (LAD FA)

2008 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	36	143	34	51	12	2	5	16	20	17	8	3	.357	.439	.573	1.012
Postseason	8	31	9	8	0	0	1	3	6	4	0	0	.258	.378	.355	.733
Career	1150	4636	788	1328	227	53	83	418	468	658	259	75	.286	.352	.412	.764

Roberts record with the Orioles:

2008 Season Stats
SPLITS	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
Season	155	611	107	181	51	8	9	57	82	104	40	10	.296	.378	.450	.828
Career	976	3858	619	1095	262	32	61	364	438	562	226	57	.284	.355	.416	.771

Tigers should get Manny Ramirez


And Pudge

Up-to-date list of potential baseball free agents

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES • October 30, 2008

NEW YORK -- The 184 players potentially eligible for free agency. Eligible players may file through Nov. 13 (c-club option for 2009; p-player option for 2009; m-mutual option for 2009):

(note by GoGetEm - I have highlighted the following players in color - short stops, catchers, right hand pitcher, left hand pitcher )

(Names will be updated with date filed for FA)
Updated through - 11/8/08

AMERICAN LEAGUE

BALTIMORE (4) —
Juan Castro, ss;- filed 11/4/08
Alex Cintron, ss; -filed 10/31/08
Kevin Millar, 1b; -filed 10/30/08
Jay Payton, lf. -filed 10/30/08

BOSTON (9) —
Paul Byrd, rh SP;
Sean Casey, 1b; -filed 10/31/08
Bartolo Colon, rh SP; -filed 10/31/08
Alex Cora, ss; -filed 10/30/08
Mark Kotsay, of; - filed 11/1/08
David Ross, c; -filed 10/30/08
Curt Schilling, rh SP; -filed 10/31/08
Mike Timlin, rh RP; - filed 11/4/08
Jason Varitek, c; -filed 10/30/08

CHICAGO (6) —
Orlando Cabrera, ss; - filed 11/1/08
Joe Crede, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
Ken Griffey Jr., of; - filed 11/04/08
Toby Hall, c; -filed 10/31/08
Horacio Ramirez, lh RP; -filed
Juan Uribe, 2b. -filed 10/30/08

CLEVELAND (4) —
Brendan Donnelly, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Scott Elarton, rh RP; - filed
Sal Fasano, c;
Juan Rincon, rh RP. - filed

DETROIT (7) —
Kyle Farnsworth, rh RP; - filed 11/3/08
Casey Fossum, lh RP; - filed 11/3/08
Freddy Garcia, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Todd Jones, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Edgar Renteria, ss; - filed 11/3/08
Kenny Rogers, lh SP; - filed 11/11/08
Vance Wilson, c.-filed 10/31/08

KANSAS CITY (1) —
Mark Grudzielanek, 2b; -filed 10/30/08


LOS ANGELES (6) —
Garret Anderson, lf; -filed 10/30/08
Jon Garland, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Darren Oliver, lh RP; -filed 10/31/08
Juan Rivera, lf; -filed 10/31/08
Francisco Rodriguez, rh RP;
Mark Teixeira, 1b. -filed 10/30/08

MINNESOTA (4) —
Adam Everett, ss; -filed
Eddie Guardado, lh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Nick Punto, ss; -filed 10/30/08
Dennys Reyes, lh RP. -filed 10/30/08

NEW YORK (8) —
Bobby Abreu, rf; -filed 10/30/08
c-Jason Giambi, 1b; NY declined their 2009 options - filed 11/04/08
c-Damaso Marte, lh RP; - filed 11/05/08
Chad Moeller, c; -filed 10/30/08
Mike Mussina, rh SP; - filed 11/05/08
c-Carl Pavano, rh SP; NY declined their 2009 options - filed 11/04/08
Sidney Ponson, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Ivan Rodriguez, c. -filed 10/30/08

OAKLAND (4) —
Emil Brown, rf; -filed 10/30/08
c-Alan Embree, lh RP;
Keith Foulke, rh RP; -filed
Frank Thomas, dh. -filed 10/31/08

SEATTLE (3) —
Willie Bloomquist, cf; -filed 10/30/08
Miguel Cairo, inf (1b); -filed 10/30/08
Raul Ibanez, lf. -filed 10/30/08

TAMPA BAY (4) —
Rocco Baldelli, dh (cf); -filed 10/31/08
c-Cliff Floyd, dh; - filed 11/4/08
Eric Hinske, rf; - filed 11/1/08
c-Trever Miller, lh RP. - filed 11/05/08

TEXAS (5) —
c-Hank Blalock, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
Milton Bradley, dh; -filed 10/30/08
Jason Jennings, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Ramon Vazquez, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
Jamey Wright, rh RP. -filed 10/30/08

TORONTO (3) —
p-A.J. Burnett, rh SP; - opts out - filed 11/13/08
John Parrish, lh SP; -filed
Brad Wilkerson, of; -filed 10/30/08

NATIONAL LEAGUE

ARIZONA (7) —
Tony Clark, 1b; -filed 10/31/08
Juan Cruz, rhp; -filed 10/30/08
Adam Dunn, of; - filed 11/1/08
David Eckstein, ss; -filed 10/30/08
Orlando Hudson, 2b; - filed 11/1/08
Randy Johnson, lhp; - filed 11/13/08
Brandon Lyon, rhp.

ATLANTA (8) —
Elmer Dessens, rhp; - filed 11/04/08
Tom Glavine, lhp; - filed 11/05/08
Mike Hampton, lhp; - filed 11/05/08
Jorge Julio, rhp; -filed 10/31/08
Greg Norton, of; -filed 10/30/08
Will Ohman, lhp; -filed 10/30/08
John Smoltz, rhp; -filed 10/31/08
Julian Tavarez, rhp. -filed 10/30/08

CHICAGO (8) —
c-Henry Blanco, c; - Chicago declined option for 2009
Ryan Dempster, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Jim Edmonds, cf; -filed 10/30/08
Chad Fox, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Bob Howry, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Jon Lieber, rh RP; -filed 10/31/08
Daryle Ward, 1b; -filed 10/30/08
Kerry Wood, rh RP. -filed 10/31/08

CINCINNATI (9) —
Jeremy Affeldt, lh RP; -filed 10/30/08- Signed $8 million for two years with San Francisco
Paul Bako, c;
Josh Fogg, rh SP; - filed
Jerry Hairston Jr., of; -filed 10/31/08
Mike Lincoln, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Kent Mercker, lh RP; - filed
Corey Patterson, cf;
Javier Valentin, c; -filed 10/31/08
David Weathers, rh RP. - filed

COLORADO (6) —
Brian Fuentes, lh RP; - filed 11/1/08
Matt Herges, rh RP; - filed 11/1/08
Livan Hernandez, rh SP; - filed 11/1/08
Adam Melhuse, c; -filed 10/31/08
Scott Podsednik, cf; - filed 11/1/08
Glendon Rusch, lh SP.

FLORIDA (4) —
Luis Gonzalez, lf; - filed 11/4/08
Mark Hendrickson, lh SP; -filed 10/31/08
Paul Lo Duca, c; -filed 10/30/08
Arthur Rhodes, lh RP. - filed 11/1/08

HOUSTON (5) —
Brad Ausmus, c; -filed 10/31/08
Doug Brocail, rh RP;
LaTroy Hawkins, rh RP; -filed 10/31/08
Mark Loretta, 2b; -filed 10/30/08
Randy Wolf, lh SP.-filed 10/31/08

LOS ANGELES (13) —
Joe Beimel, lh RP; -filed 10/30/08
m-Gary Bennett, c; - filed 11/4/08
Casey Blake, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
Rafael Furcal, ss;
Nomar Garciaparra, ss; -filed 10/31/08
Jason Johnson, rh SP; -filed
Jeff Kent, 2b; - filed 11/05/08
Derek Lowe, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Greg Maddux, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Pablo Ozuna, 2b;
Chan Ho Park, rh RP; - filed 11/1/08
Manny Ramirez, lf; -filed 10/30/08
Mark Sweeney, 1b. - filed 10/31/08

MILWAUKEE (10) —
Russell Branyan, 3b; -filed

c-Craig Counsell, 3b;
Ray Durham, 2b; - filed 11/1/08
Eric Gagne, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Gabe Kapler, cf; -filed 10/30/08
Mike Lamb, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
Guillermo Mota, rh RP;
CC Sabathia, lh SP; - filed 11/1/08
Ben Sheets, rh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Brian Shouse, lh RP; -filed 10/30/08

NEW YORK Mets (11) —
Moises Alou, lf; -filed 10/31/08
Tony Armas Jr., rh SP; -filed
Luis Ayala, rh RP; -filed
Damion Easley, 2b; -filed 10/30/08
Orlando Hernandez, rh SP; - filed 11/1/08
Pedro Martinez, rh SP; -filed 10/31/08
Ramon Martinez, 2b;
Trot Nixon, rf; - filed 11/4/08
Oliver Perez, lh SP; -filed 10/30/08
Ricardo Rincon, lh RP; -filed
Matt Wise, rh RP. -filed 10/30/08

PHILADELPHIA (2) —
c-Tom Gordon, rh RP; -filed
Rudy Seanez, rh RP.

PITTSBURGH (4) —
Chris Gomez, 3b; -filed 10/30/08
c-Jason Micheals, rf; -filed 10/31/08
Doug Mientkiewicz, 1b; -filed 10/30/08
Luis Rivas, ss. -filed 10/31/08

ST. LOUIS (8) —
Jason Isringhausen, rh RP; - filed 11/1/08
Cesar Izturis, ss; -filed 10/30/08
Jason LaRue, c; -filed 10/30/08 >>>re-signed by St. Louis
Braden Looper, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Felipe Lopez, 2b; -filed 10/30/08
Mark Mulder, lh SP; filed 11/4/08
Russ Springer, rh RP; -filed 10/30/08
Ron Villone, lh RP. -filed 10/30/08

SAN DIEGO (2) —
Trevor Hoffman, rh RP; - filed 11/1/08
Mark Prior, rh SP.-filed 10/31/08

SAN FRANCISCO (2) —
Rich Aurilia, 1b; -filed 10/31/08
c-Omar Vizquel, ss.

WASHINGTON (2) —
Aaron Boone, 1b;
Odalis Perez, lh SP. -filed

10/30/08 8:06 PM ET
Players who have filed for free agency

The Associated Press

Arizona
Cruz, Juan (RP); Eckstein, David (SS)

Atlanta
Norton, Greg (OF); Ohman, Will (RP); Tavarez, Julian (RP)

Baltimore
Millar, Kevin (1B); Payton, Jay (OF)

Boston
Cora, Alex (SS); Ross, Dave (C); Varitek, Jason (C)

Chicago Cubs
Dempster, Ryan (SP); Edmonds, Jim (OF); Fox, Chad (RP); Howry, Bob (RP)

Chicago White Sox
Crede, Joe (3B); Uribe, Juan (2B)

Cincinnati
Affeldt, Jeremy (RP); Lincoln, Michael (RP)

Cleveland
* Donnelly, Brendan (RP)

Detroit Tigers
Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP)

Florida
LoDuca, Paul (C)

Houston
Loretta, Mark (2B)

Kansas City
Grudzielanek, Mark (2B)

Los Angeles Angels
Anderson, Garret (OF); Garland, Jon (SP); Teixeira, Mark (1B)

Los Angeles Dodgers
Beimel, Joe (RP); Blake, Casey (3B); Lowe, Derek (SP); Maddux, Greg (SP); Ramirez, Manny (OF)

Milwaukee
Gagne, Eric (RP); Kapler, Gabe (OF); Lamb, Michael (3B); Sheets, Ben (SP); Shouse, Brian (RP)

Minnesota
Guardado, Eddie (RP); Punto, Nick (SS); Reyes, Dennys (RP)

New York Mets
Easley, Damion (2B); Perez, Oliver (SP); Wise, Matt (RP)

New York Yankees
Abreu, Bob (OF); Moeller, Chad (C); Ponson, Sidney (SP); Rodriguez, Ivan (C)

Oakland
Brown, Emil (OF)

Pittsburgh
Gomez, Chris (3B); Mientkiewicz, Doug (1B)

St. Louis
Izturis, Cesar (SS); LaRue, Jason (C); Looper, Braden L. (SP); Lopez, Felipe (2B); Springer, Russ (RP); Villone, Ron (RP)

Seattle
Bloomquist, Willie (OF); Cairo, Miguel (1B); Ibanez, Raul (OF)

Toronto
Wilkerson, Brad (OF)

Texas
Blalock, Hank (3B); Bradley, Milton (DH); Jennings, Jason (SP); Vazquez, Ramon (3B); Wright, Jamey (RP)

* = Potentially eligible due to contract terms.

= Provisional election pending resolution of option provision in Player's UPC.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Quote :

Detroit Tigers
Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP)

??? Why is Todd Jones filing for free agency if he retired???

Is he having second thoughts?

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Quote :

Detroit Tigers
Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP)

??? Why is Todd Jones filing for free agency if he retired???

Is he having second thoughts?

Formality.

10/30/08 9:56 PM ET
65 file on first day of free agency
Manny, Sheets, Teixeira biggest names to test early market

By Jim Molony / MLB.com

All-Stars Manny Ramirez, Ryan Dempster, Ben Sheets, Milton Bradley, Jason Varitek and Joe Crede were among the 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first day of MLB's 15-day filing period for eligible players.

Bradley, who led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage as the Rangers' designated hitter, and Ramirez, who helped the Dodgers win the National League West crown after coming over from Boston in a July trade, head the list of outfielders among the first-day filers.

Another, Ken Griffey Jr., is expected to join them after the Chicago White Sox on Thursday declined Griffey's $16 million option for the 2009 season. Crede, the first White Sox third baseman to make the All-Star team in 16 years, also filed, as did infielder Juan Uribe.

Other outfielders filing Thursday included Garret Anderson, Jay Payton, Jim Edmonds, Bobby Abreu, Gabe Kapler, Emil Brown, Raul Ibanez and Brad Wilkerson.

Dempster won 17 games for the NL Central champion Cubs and hopes to remain with the team.

"Absolutely. I love it here," Dempster said two days after the Cubs were swept from the NLDS for the second straight season. "I love the city. I love playing here. Hopefully, everything works out."

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry shares the feeling.

"Ryan knows we want him to stay here, and he's never expressed a desire that he wants to leave," Hendry said recently. "Certainly, the year he had and type of clubhouse presence he is and total team guy, we certainly have every intention of trying to keep Ryan."

Dempster went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts, striking out 187 in the final year of a three-year, $15.5 million contract.

Sheets, the NL starter in the Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium, helped Milwaukee reach the playoffs for the first time since 1982. The right-hander went 13-9 with a 3.02 ERA and tied teammate CC Sabathia for the league lead with three shutouts.

Sheets was one of four Brewers to file Thursday, along with pitchers Eric Gagne and Brian Shouse and infielder Mike Lamb.

Twenty-one other pitchers joined the free-agent ranks, including Derek Lowe, Greg Maddux, Joe Beimel, Bob Howry, Chad Fox, Will Ohman, Julian Tavarez, Jeremy Affeldt, Mike Lincoln, Freddy Garcia, Brendan Donnelly, Jon Garland, Eddie Guardado, Dennys Reyes, Oliver Perez, Matt Wise, Sidney Ponson, Braden Looper, Russ Springer and Ron Villone.

Several infielders filed Thursday, with first baseman Mark Teixeira the most noteworthy of the bunch.

Teixeira is coming off a fine season during which he batted a combined .308 with 33 homers and 121 RBIs for the Braves and Angels. A two-time Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner, the 28-year-old Teixeira led the AL with 370 total bases in 2005 and has averaged more than 300 per season during his six years in the Major Leagues.

Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzielanek, Kevin Millar, Alex Cora, Casey Blake, Nick Punto, Damion Easley, Cesar Izturis, Felipe Lopez, Chris Gomez and Doug Mientkiewicz were among the other infielders to file.

Varitek, the Red Sox captain, is a free agent for the first time since 2004. The 36-year-old catcher batted .220 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs in 2008, his 12th season with Boston. He is joined in the free-agent field by Red Sox teammate Dave Ross, Ivan Rodriguez, Paul Lo Duca and Jason LaRue.

The free agency filing period continues through Nov. 13. During that time players can sign only with their 2008 club, but they can begin discussions with other clubs on issues other than salary.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

bobrob2004 wrote:

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

Quote :

Detroit Tigers
Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP)

??? Why is Todd Jones filing for free agency if he retired???

Is he having second thoughts?

Formality.

ok

10/31/08 8:28 PM ET
Pitchers highlight growing FA list
Smoltz, Wood, Schilling, Pedro among those to file for free agency

By Jim Molony / MLB.com

The free-agent pool rose to triple digits on Friday when 42 more players -- including 21 pitchers -- filed for free agency, raising the total to 107 in two days.

Though there were no surprises in the latest group, which included pitchers Kerry Wood, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Mark Prior, Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon, Randy Wolf, Mark Hendrickson, Darren Oliver and LaTroy Hawkins, among others, the second day of the filing period did see three teams pick up 2009 options on three potential free agents and another team, St. Louis, move quickly to re-sign a catcher who had filed for free agency on Thursday in Jason LaRue.

The Mets picked up Carlos Delgado's 2009 option for $12 million. Delgado, who was paid $16 million for the 2008 season, would have been owed $4 million had the Mets not picked up his option so the net cost to the team to bring the 36-year-old first baseman back was $8 million.

Boston officially exercised Tim Wakefield's $4 million option, allowing the venerable right-hander to continue as the longest-tenured player on the team. Wakefield, 42, went 10-11 with a 4.13 ERA in 2008.

Rod Barajas had his $2.5 million option for 2009 exercised by the Blue Jays.

"Rod did a good job for us," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said at the end of the season. "We're comfortable with Rod. We think we've got some internal guys that might be ready to help from a backup standpoint."

Barajas, who inked a one-year deal worth $1.2 million with the Blue Jays last winter, hit .249 with 11 home runs, 49 RBIs, a .294 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging percentage over 104 games. Barajas seized the starter's job after Gregg Zaun landed on the disabled list with a right elbow injury in May.

LaRue, 35, hit .213 with a .296 with a .296 on-base percentage and a .348 slugging percentage. He played 61 games, starting 44, and threw out eight of 21 would-be basestealers (38.1 percent).

"Jason was a great fit for our ballclub in the role that he served this past season," general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement. "His contributions carried not only onto the field, but also in the clubhouse and away from the ballpark, where he provided a good veteran leadership."

Wood became a free agent for the third consecutive offseason. A year ago he signed a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the Cubs and went on to save 34 games in his first season as closer. Wood, 31, has spent his entire career with the Cubs but it is not a given the two sides will be able to reach an agreement this time.

"We're going to get our plan together, and we'll try to move forward with what we think is best for the organization," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said last week. "Kerry has done a terrific job in the closing role. But at the same time, there's a lot of conversations that have to happen with his representatives and him as to what his desires are and what type of contract he's looking for."

The Cubs declined catcher Henry Blanco's $3 million option for 2009, instead choosing to pay the $300,000 buyout. Right-hander Jon Lieber, a Cub in 2008, also filed.

Blanco wasn't the only backstop to land in the free-agent pool Friday. Toby Hall, Adam Melhuse, Brad Ausmus, Javier Valentin and Vance Wilson also filed.

Other position players filing Friday included Tony Clark, Sean Casey, Alex Cintron, Jerry Hairston, Juan Rivera, Nomar Garciaparra, Moises Alou, Frank Thomas, Jason Michaels, Luis Rivas, Rich Aurilia and Rocco Baldelli.

The free-agency filing period continues through Nov. 13. During that time players can sign only with their 2008 club, but they can begin discussions with other clubs on issues other than salary.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Lists by Position and Team FA filings updated.

From list of people filing for FA above:

We should probably sign either Izturis, or maybe Nick Punto. They could be some help at SS.

And maybe a 2B to back up Polanco. I was thinking Mark Loretta or Juan Uribe but who knows.

Also, possibly a pitcher to be a back of the rotation kind of guy. Ponson maybe? Or just get Derek Lowe and put him as our 2 or 3 guy.

Also some bullpen help would be nice. Im thinking Brian Shouse would make a good addition. Bob Howry?

For the bullpen I'd like to see Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and/or Will Ohman.

Lyon didnt file for free agency.

Or is his contract up?

gdennis59 wrote:

Lyon didnt file for free agency.

Or is his contract up?

His contract is up, he probably just hasn't filed yet.

Let's sign Teixeira, move Cabrera to DH, and get rid of Sheffield. Okay, maybe not.

Should be able to get Pudge cheaper now. He is no longer a Type A, he is a B now. :haha:

Rent is an "A"

Well, I think we should get Jeff Kent. And Kevin Mench.

gdennis59 wrote:

Well, I think we should get Jeff Kent. And Kevin Mench.

Jeff Kent is most likely going to retire.

11/01/08 5:11 PM ET
Players who have filed for free agency

The Associated Press

Arizona
Clark, Tony (1B); Dunn, Adam (OF); Cruz, Juan (RP); Eckstein, David (SS); Hudson, Orlando (2B)

Atlanta
Julio, Jorge (RP); Norton, Greg (OF); Ohman, Will (RP); Smoltz, John (SP); Tavarez, Julian (RP)

Baltimore
Cintron, Alex (SS); Millar, Kevin (1B); Payton, Jay (OF)

Boston
Casey, Sean (1B); Colon, Bartolo (SP); Cora, Alex (SS); Kotsay, Mark (OF); Ross, Dave (C); Schilling, Curt (SP); Varitek, Jason (C)

Chicago Cubs
Blanco, Henry (C); Dempster, Ryan (SP); Edmonds, Jim (OF); Fox, Chad (RP); Howry, Bob (RP); Lieber, Jon (RP); Ward, Daryle (1B); Wood, Kerry (RP)

Chicago White Sox
Cabrera, Orlando (SS); Crede, Joe (3B); Hall, Toby (C); Ramirez, Horacio (RP); Uribe, Juan (2B)

Cincinnati
Affeldt, Jeremy (RP); Fogg, Josh (SP); Hairston Jr., Jerry (SS); Lincoln, Michael (RP); Mercker, Kent (RP); Valentin, Javier (C); Weathers, Dave (RP)

Cleveland
* Donnelly, Brendan (RP); Elarton, Scott (SP); Rincon, Juan (RP)

Colorado
Fuentes, Brian (RP); Herges, Matt (RP); Hernandez, Livan (SP); Melhuse, Adam (C); Podsednik, Scott (OF)

Detroit
Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP); Wilson, Vance (C)

Florida
Hendrickson, Mark (RP); LoDuca, Paul (C); Rhodes, Arthur (RP)

Houston
Ausmus, Brad (C); Hawkins, LaTroy (RP); Loretta, Mark (2B); Wolf, Randy (SP)

Kansas City
Grudzielanek, Mark (2B)

Los Angeles Angels
Anderson, Garret (OF); Garland, Jon (SP); Oliver, Darren (RP); Rivera, Juan (OF); Teixeira, Mark (1B)

Los Angeles Dodgers
Beimel, Joe (RP); Blake, Casey (3B); Garciaparra, Nomar (1B); Johnson, Jason (RP); Lowe, Derek (SP); Maddux, Greg (SP); Park, Chan Ho (RP); Ramirez, Manny (OF); Sweeney, Mark (1B);

Milwaukee
Branyan, Russell (3B); Durham, Ray (2B); Gagne, Eric (RP); Kapler, Gabe (OF); Lamb, Michael (3B); Sabathia, CC (SP); Sheets, Ben (SP); Shouse, Brian (RP)

Minnesota
Everett, Adam (SS); Guardado, Eddie (RP); Punto, Nick (SS); Reyes, Dennys (RP)

New York Mets
Alou, Moises (OF); Armas Jr., Tony (RP); Ayala, Luis (RP); Easley, Damion (2B); Hernandez, Orlando (SP); Martinez, Pedro (SP); Martinez, Ramon E. (2B); Perez, Oliver (SP); Rincon, Ricardo (RP); Wise, Matt (RP)

New York Yankees
Abreu, Bob (OF); Moeller, Chad (C); Ponson, Sidney (SP); Rodriguez, Ivan (C)

Oakland
Brown, Emil (OF); Foulke, Keith (RP); Thomas, Frank (DH)

Philadelphia
Gordon, Tom (RP)

Pittsburgh
Gomez, Chris (3B); Michaels, Jason (OF); Mientkiewicz, Doug (1B); Rivas, Luis (SS)

St. Louis
Isringhausen, Jason (RP); Izturis, Cesar (SS); Looper, Braden L. (SP); Lopez, Felipe (2B); Springer, Russ (RP); Villone, Ron (RP)

San Diego
Hoffman, Trevor (RP); Prior, Mark (SP)

San Francisco
Aurilia, Rich (1B)

Seattle
Bloomquist, Willie (OF); Cairo, Miguel (1B); Ibanez, Raul (OF)

Tampa Bay
Baldelli, Rocco (DH); Hinske, Eric (OF)

Toronto
Wilkerson, Brad (OF); Parrish, John (RP)

Texas
Blalock, Hank (3B); Bradley, Milton (DH); Jennings, Jason (SP); Vazquez, Ramon (3B); Wright, Jamey (RP)

Washington
Perez, Odalis (SP)

* = Potentially eligible due to contract terms.

= Provisional election pending resolution of option provision in Player's UPC.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

The biggest losers to Free Agency would be...



THE DODGERS!!!

Seems they are losing everyone they traded for and then some. Not looking too good...

gdennis59 wrote:

The biggest losers to Free Agency would be...



THE DODGERS!!!

Seems they are losing everyone they traded for and then some. Not looking too good...

But they are a large market team


Too soon to say, though



Depends how many moves they make

11/03/08 7:30 PM EST
K-Rod tops list of 19 more to test market
Three veteran shortstops, eight Red Sox also file for free agency

By Jim Molony / MLB.com

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Major League saves leader Francisco Rodriguez heads a list of 19 players who filed for free agency on Monday.

Rafael Furcal, Edgar Renteria and Omar Vizquel, a trio of shortstops with a combined nine All-Star Game selections, also filed, raising the free agent pool to 149.

Coming off a historic 62-save season at age 26, Rodriguez is expected to be among the most coveted free agents on the market this winter, along with Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia.

Visibly distraught when the season ended for his team at Fenway Park in a 3-2 loss in Game 4 of the American League Division Series, Rodriguez expressed how difficult it would be to leave the only organization he has known since signing with the Angels as a free agent out of high school in Caracas, Venezuela, on Sept. 24, 1998.

"I would love to stay here," Rodriguez said. "This has been my family for 10 years, the only people I know. I grew up in the organization. People think it's my decision; it's not. I want to stay here for many years, but I don't know what will happen.

"They have some big decisions to make. I don't know what they're going to do. We were built to win this year. I'm pretty sure they're going to make big changes. Hopefully, next year, they'll put together a ballclub to go where we need to go."

Vizquel, who turns 42 in April, hit .222 with a .283 on-base percentage for the Giants this season, his lowest numbers in those statistical categories since his rookie season in 1989. The 11-time Gold Glove winner and three-time All-Star was paid $5.2 million in the final year of his contract with San Francisco.

Injuries limited Furcal to only 36 games this year, but the 30-year-old was productive in his limited stint, hitting .357 with five homers and 16 RBIs.
Renteria, who hit .270 with 22 doubles, 10 home runs and 55 RBIs, is back on the open market for the first time since 2004.

The five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner became eligible for free agency when the Tigers decided not to pick up his $12 million option for 2009.

As a Type A free agent, the Tigers could offer Renteria arbitration and receive two picks in June's First-Year Player Draft as compensation if he signs somewhere else. Renteria could also accept arbitration and get a one-year contract out of the Tigers. Detroit has until December to decide whether to make an arbitration offer; if Renteria signs with another team before then, the Tigers would automatically get the compensation picks.

Also filing on Monday were pitchers Paul Byrd, Doug Brocail, Brandon Lyon, Glendon Rusch, Kyle Farnsworth, Casey Fossum, Guillermo Mota, Alan Embree and Rudy Seanez; catchers Paul Bako, Gregg Zaun and Sal Fasano; infielders Craig Counsell and Aaron Boone; and outfielder Corey Patterson.

Byrd, acquired by the Red Sox from the Indians on Aug. 12, made eight starts, going 4-2 with a 4.78 ERA. Because Boston is deep when it comes to starting pitching, there's a strong chance the 37-year-old Byrd will sign with another team.

Byrd joined Jason Varitek, Curt Schilling, Bartolo Colon, Sean Casey, Alex Cora, Mark Kotsay and David Ross as players from the Red Sox who have filed for free agency.

Two players who helped Tampa Bay reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history, Cliff Floyd and Trever Miller, became free agents when the Rays chose not to exercise the club options on the two for 2009.

Floyd, 35, originally signed a one-year deal as a free agent on Dec. 17 that paid him $2.75 million in 2008, and the club held an option that would have paid him $2.75 million in 2009. By not exercising Floyd's option, the Rays must pay a buyout of $250,000 to Floyd.

"Everything happens for a reason," Floyd said. "But hey, I'm not down one bit, it was a great run."

Floyd made 72 starts at designated hitter for the Rays in 2008, hitting .268 with 11 home runs, 39 RBIs and a .455 slugging percentage. The 14-year veteran was the longest-tenured Major Leaguer to play for Tampa Bay this season. He hit .222 in seven postseason games with the club until a right shoulder injury sidelined him prior to Game 4 of the World Series.

Miller, 35, signed a one-year deal as a free agent on Feb. 6 that paid him $1.6 million for 2008 to return to Rays, who were also his employer from 2004-05. Included in the deal was a $2 million club option for 2009. Miller's buyout calls for the club to pay him $400,000. Miller went 2-0 this season with two saves and a 4.15 ERA over 68 relief appearances.
The free agency filing period continues through Nov. 13. During that time, players can sign only with their 2008 club, but they can begin discussions with other clubs on issues other than salary.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I dont want K-Rod, but wouldnt mind any of then Red Sox players coming here. Especially Tek, and maybe even getting Casey back!

gdennis59 wrote:

The biggest losers to Free Agency would be...



THE DODGERS!!!

Seems they are losing everyone they traded for and then some. Not looking too good...

They are going to get a ton of draft picks though.

	Player	Position	Former Team	New Team	Signing Date	Notes
1.	Almonte, Erick	SS	DET	COL	---	Minor league free agent
2.	Bazardo, Yorman	P	DET	---	---	Minor league free agent
3.	Beltran, Francis	P	DET	---	---	Minor league free agent
4.	Cruceta, Francisco	P	DET	---	---	Minor league free agent
5.	Farnsworth, Kyle	RP	DET	---	---	- filed 11/3/08
6.	Fossum, Casey	RP	DET	---	---	- filed 11/3/08
7.	Garcia, Freddy	SP	DET	---	---	- filed 10/30/08
8.	Glover, Gary	RP	DET	---	---	Minor league free agent
9.	Guzman, Freddy	OF	DET	DET	---	Minor league free agent
10.	Jones, Todd	RP	DET	---	---	- filed 10/30/08
11.	Martinez, Anastacio	P	DET	WAS	NRI	Minor league free agent
12.	Neal, Blaine	P	DET	COL	NRI	Minor league free agent
13.	Perez, Timo	DH	DET	DET	NRI	Minor league free agent
14.	Renteria, Edgar	SS	DET	SF	12/04/08	Signed two-year, $18.5 million deal
15.	Rogers, Kenny	SP	DET	---	---	filed 11/11/08
16.	Sardinha, Dane	C	DET	DET	---	Signed aMinor league contract
17.	Wilson, Vance	C	DET	---	---	- filed 10/31/08

NRI = NON-ROSTER INVITEE

Welp, Brandon Lyon, filed. What to do...

11/05/08 9:12 PM EST
Free-agent roundup: Veteran arms file
Mussina, Glavine and Hampton hit the open market

By Jim Molony / MLB.com

DANA POINT, Calif. -- Seven pitchers, including 20-game winner Mike Mussina and 10-time All-Star Tom Glavine, were among the players who filed for free agency Wednesday.

Jeff Kent, the all-time home runs leader among second basemen, and pitchers Carl Pavano, Mike Hampton and Trever Miller filed.

Also filing a day after his option was not picked up by the Yankees was first baseman Jason Giambi.

Another Yankee pitcher, Damaso Marte, became a free agent when New York did not pick up his $6 million option for 2009, choosing instead to pay a $250,000 buyout.

Brad Penny, who won 16 games in 2006 and 2007 and was the Opening Day starter for Los Angeles this year, was bought out of his $9.25 million contract by the Dodgers on Wednesday for $2 million and is eligible to file for free agency. The right-hander went 6-9 with a 6.27 ERA in 2008 and made three trips to the disabled list because of shoulder problems.

"We declined the option on Brad Penny today," Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said. "he was a key member of this club in '07. And then this year between him getting hurt and not being able to come back, he just didn't see enough work over the last three months of the season for us to do anything else than what we did today. We wish him the best and hope that he continues to be a good pitcher."

Colletti gave the news to Penny's agent, Greg Genske, via telephone and did not speak with Penny directly.

"Injuries are part of the game," Colletti said. "It's something that can happen to anybody. But he's capable of being in the All-Star Game, which I think he did in '06 and '07. That speaks volumes for how good he is when he's right. I sense that if he had been able to match '07 in '08 it would've given the club a better chance."

Mussina, who became a first-time 20-game winner in 2008, hasn't decided whether he will pitch another year or retire.

Agent Arn Tellem visited Mussina at his Montoursville, Pa., home last week, and said Wednesday that the right-hander's status is unchanged.

Mussina has 270 Major League victories and turns 40 later this month.

The Braves have said they may have an interest in bringing back both Glavine and Hampton next season.

Glavine underwent season-ending elbow surgery in August and still doesn't know whether he'll be physically capable to continue pitching at his desired level.

Hampton, 36, went 3-4 with a 4.85 in 13 games in 2008 and has made only 25 appearances since the 2004 season because of injury. But he resuscitated his career after returning to the mound on July 26, going 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in his final nine starts this season. His agent met with the Houston Astros on Wednesday. Hampton spent six seasons with the Astros between 1994 and 1999, highlighted by his 22-4 campaign in his final season in Houston.

Glavine is currently rehabbing and hopes to start throwing in December. At that time, he'll have a better sense of whether he'll be able to attempt to add to his 305 career wins.

Kent, 40, became the 12th Dodger to land in the free agent pool this offseason. He hit .280 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs, his lowest production in more than decade.

Kent missed most of the last month of the season with knee surgery and rushed back in three weeks, only to lose his starting job to Blake DeWitt. Kent, who ranks 62nd on the all-time home run list with 377 and 47th on the all-time RBI list with 1,518, served as a pinch-hitter during the postseason.

The Yankees are likely to offer arbitration to Marte, a Type A free agent, so they would receive a compensatory Draft selection if he signs with another club.

The free agency filing period continues through Nov. 13. During that time players can sign only with their 2008 club, but they can begin discussions with other clubs on issues other than salary.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.