Garcia and Todd Jones file for free agency

10/30/08 8:13 PM ET
Garcia files for free agency
Right-hander made three starts for the Tigers last season

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Freddy Garcia made his way back to the Majors in his late-season stint with the Tigers. Now, he's back on the open market.

While Garcia continues his work to get back to his old form, the veteran right-handed starter was among the first to file for free agency on Thursday, the first day for eligible players to put in their paperwork.

The move is essentially a formality for all players who aren't signed with a team. To that extent, former Tigers closer Todd Jones also filed for free agency Thursday, even though he fully intends to retire.

Garcia, 33, also was a free agent last winter, but he was coming back from shoulder surgery and still projected to be rehabbing when the season started. He remained without a club until he signed a Minor League deal with the Tigers in August.

For Garcia, the short stint was the next step in his rehab, allowing him to pitch in organized games under the watch of coaches and instructors with a chance to return to the big leagues by season's end if he felt fine. For the Tigers, the deal was an opportunity to let Garcia learn about the franchise up close and potentially foster Garcia's interest in a longer-term deal with the Tigers should matters work out.

Garcia went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA over his three starts with Detroit, allowing seven earned runs over 15 innings with six walks and 12 strikeouts. He took a 2-1 lead over the White Sox into the sixth inning of the Tigers' season finale on Sept. 29, before leaving the game with tightness in his neck and right shoulder.

A subsequent visit with a specialist showed no structural damage in Garcia's shoulder, but he has approached his offseason work slowly as a precaution. He has been throwing long toss while he readies to pitch winter ball in his native Venezuela in front of Major League scouts. Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg, said Wednesday in an e-mail that Garcia hopes to make his first start for the Venezuelan team Magallanes early next month.

Garcia, who has a 118-77 record to go with 1,716 2/3 innings over his 10-year career, stated his interest last month in possibly returning to Detroit. Greenberg said they'll listen if and when the Tigers decide to talk. Tigers officials expressed interest near season's end, though the shape of Garcia's arm will undoubtedly play a role when he gets back on a mound next month.

Teams have until 15 days after the World Series ends to negotiate with their own free agents.

Jones announced his retirement last month, ending a 16-year Major League career that saw him compile 319 career saves. That total ranks 14th on the all-time list, while his 235 saves as a Tiger stands as the franchise record.

Other Tigers eligible for free agency who have yet to file include shortstop Edgar Renteria, whose $12 million contract option for 2009 was formally declined on Thursday. Also on the list are Kenny Rogers, Kyle Farnsworth, Casey Fossum and Vance Wilson.

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

Freddy Garcia files for free agency, still waiting on Tigers' offer

By JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • October 31, 2008

Freddy Garcia was the lone active Tiger to file for free agency on Thursday, the first day players were permitted to do so.

Detroit will retain exclusive negotiating rights with Garcia until Nov. 14, although other clubs are allowed to contact Garcia’s representatives to express interest during that time.

Up to this point, the Tigers have not exercised their right to discuss financial terms with Garcia. His agent, Peter Greenberg, said Thursday that the Tigers have not yet offered Garcia a contract for 2009.

Garcia, the 33-year-old right-hander, joined the organization in August as a minor-league free agent. He went 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in three big-league starts.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland has said that he is certain about only two pitchers in next year’s starting rotation: Justin Verlander and Armando Galarraga. Jeremy Bonderman, if healthy, would be a third.

Otherwise, the team has two uncertain spots.

Nate Robertson and Dontrelle Willis, who disappointed after signing long-term deals, could be candidates if they are not traded. Garcia and Kenny Rogers, who is also eligible for free agency, may be considered if they return to the club.

NOTEBOOK: The Tigers have only one free agent – shortstop Edgar Renteria – who could bring the club draft-pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. Renteria is a “Type A” free agent, according to Elias Rankings distributed to clubs on Thursday.

Still, the Tigers may not receive any compensation at all. If Renteria is unsigned at the Dec. 1 tender date, Detroit would need to offer him a contract in order to keep alive the possibility of receiving the picks; if Renteria were to accept that offer, the Tigers would have to pay him a hefty salary for 2009.

I still would like to see the Tigers sign Garcia, but with health conditions (incentives) and a lower base salary.

Todd Jones filed for Free Agency?

Maybe he is gonna unretire



Tigers gotta get him back

yeah! how does that work?

Todd Jones filed as a formality according to brob. He is still retiring.

Quote :

To that extent, former Tigers closer Todd Jones also filed for free agency Thursday, even though he fully intends to retire.

I thought he ALREADY retired!!

now he's retiring from retiring

laprimamirala wrote:

now he's retiring from retiring

done with all the ceremonies and press conferences etc.

Time for some wheelin' and dealin'....