NewsSeven Rays in mix to become free agents
Catcher Zaun, five relief pitchers eligible to test the waters
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
11/05/09 1:55 PM EST
ST. PETERSBURG -- Major League Baseball crowned a new champion Wednesday night, and Thursday morning it was back to business as players could begin to file for free agency.Seven Rays players are in the mix to become free agents.
A player may declare himself a free agent, and thus be free to negotiate with any team for a new contract, if he has at least six years of Major League service and is not already under contract for the next season.
Players must file for free agency within 15 days from the first day after the World Series ends. The player's former club retains exclusive negotiating rights during that 15-day period -- a.k.a. "the exclusivity period" -- even if the player declares free agency on the first day after the World Series.
The list of Rays players who can file for free agency includes a group of veteran right-handed relievers in Troy Percival, Chad Bradford, Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen.
Of that group, Percival appears headed toward retirement due to a list of physical maladies, and Isringhausen also is unlikely to continue playing after season-ending right elbow surgery in 2009.
Bradford and Springer both had disappointing campaigns for the Rays and each will likely file for free agency.
In addition, the Rays hold options for left fielder Carl Crawford, left-hander Brian Shouse and catcher Gregg Zaun.
It is a foregone conclusion that the Rays will exercise Crawford's $10 million option rather than buying him out for $1.25 million, which would allow the him to become a free agent.
If the Rays decide to exercise Shouse's option for the 2010 season, they will pay him $1.9 million plus incentives achieved in 2010. The Rays will have seven days after the World Series ends to exercise his option. If they do not, they must pay him a $200,000 buyout and he will become a free agent.
Exercising Zaun's option would require the Rays to pay him $2 million for the 2010 season. They must decide whether or not to exercise Zaun's option by five days after the World Series. If they do not, they must pay him a $500,000 buyout.
Clubs can receive compensation if they lose a player classified as a Type A or Type B free agent.
Should a team lose a Type A free agent, they will receive a first-round Draft pick (second round pick if signing team is selecting one to 15 picks) plus a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
The former club of a Type B Free Agent receives a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
The club only receives compensation if the player signs elsewhere before Dec. 1 or is offered arbitration and declines.
None of the Rays' free agents is likely to be Type A free agents, but Springer and Shouse are likely to be Type B free agents.
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
