Pitchers K-Rod, Byrd file for free agency
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 10:08 AM PST
NEW YORK (AP) — Record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez and shortstops Rafael Furcal, Omar Vizquel and Edgar Renteria were among 19 players who filed for free agency Monday.
Pitchers Brandon Lyon and Paul Byrd also joined the list. Of the 178 players potentially eligible for free agency, 149 have filed since the World Series ended last week.
Rodriguez went 62-for-69 on save chances for the Los Angeles Angels, breaking the record of 57 saves set by Bobby Thigpen in 1990. K-Rod was 2-3 with a 2.24 ERA.
Vizquel filed after San Francisco declined a $5.2 million option, choosing to pay a $300,000 buyout.
Tampa Bay declined options on a pair of players who helped the Rays win the AL pennant: designated hitter Cliff Floyd and relief pitcher Trever Miller.
Floyd hit .268 with 11 homers and 39 RBIs in 72 starts this season.
Floyd and Miller are in the group of players still eligible to file for free agency by the Nov. 13 deadline.
Free agents can start negotiating money with all clubs the following day.
Mike Cameron’s $10 million option was exercised by the Milwaukee Brewers, preventing him from becoming eligible to file.
The Brewers could have paid a $750,000 buyout to the three-time Gold Glove winner, who batted .243 with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs this season.
Also, San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said at the GM meetings in California that the Padres probably will exercise outfielder Brian Giles’ $9 million option by Saturday’s deadline and are trying to work out an agreement to keep closer Trevor Hoffman.
