Tigers closer Todd Jones and first baseman Sean Casey both took the formality of filing for free agency on Monday, the first day for players to file and begin the process of testing the open market.

The Tigers told Casey on the final weekend of the regular season that they would not try to bring him back, a move that seems all the more official with Monday's trade for shortstop Edgar Renteria and Carlos Guillen's move to first. The 33-year-old Casey, acquired at the nonwaiver trade deadline in 2006 and re-signed to a one-year deal last offseason, batted .296 this season with 30 doubles, four home runs and 54 RBIs.

Jones' fate will be one of the more intriguing issues for the Tigers this offseason. He will listen to other teams, but as president/general manager Dave Dombrowski indicated Monday, whether he returns to Detroit likely will depend on whether the Braves are interested in signing him, which would bring him close to his Alabama home.

"He's open-minded about coming here," Dombrowski said. "We would like to have him back."

The Tigers still have a two-week window in which they hold exclusive negotiating rights with Jones, until Nov. 12. Other teams can talk with Jones and his agent, Randy Hendricks, but they cannot officially discuss financial terms.

Jones' second stint in Detroit over these last couple years featured a World Series trip and a few milestones, including his 300th career save and his ascension to the Tigers' all-time saves lead. The 39-year-old piled up 75 saves over the last two seasons, including 38 in 44 opportunities this year. He posted a 4.26 ERA this season, scattering 64 hits over 61 1/3 innings with three home runs allowed.

If Jones doesn't return, the Tigers are expected to give 22-year-old Joel Zumaya his shot at the closer's job, with Fernando Rodney as another option. Detroit would then likely pursue another reliever to work setup duty behind them.

Kenny Rogers is the one remaining Tiger eligible to file for free agency. He is still pondering whether to come back for a 20th Major League season or retire. He hopes to have that decision sometime within the next month or so, which will affect whether the Tigers must pursue a starting pitcher on the free-agent market.