NewsSix Halos players file for free agency
Vlad, Figgins, Escobar join Lackey, Oliver, Quinlan
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com
11/06/09 8:20 PM EST
Three Angels -- Vladimir Guerrero, Chone Figgins and Kelvim Escobar -- filed for free agency on Friday, joining a class numbering 118 players on the second day of the 15-day filing period.Guerrero, Figgins and Escobar followed John Lackey, Darren Oliver and Robb Quinlan as prospective free agents from the roster of the three-time reigning American League West champions.
The Angels have exclusive negotiating rights with all six of the players until Nov. 20 when the 15-day period of exclusivity expires and the market becomes open for all bids.
Guerrero, Figgins, Lackey and Oliver are Type A free agents. If they are offered arbitration and sign elsewhere before Dec. 1 or decline arbitration and sign with another club, the Angels will receive that team's first-round pick -- or second-round choice if the team's selection is among the top 15 -- along with a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
Neither Quinlan nor Escobar would require compensation if signed by another club.
The Angels kept Bobby Abreu out of free agency by signing the outfielder to a two-year deal with an option for 2012, which may vest depending upon performance.
Guerrero, the club's offensive centerpiece since his 2004 MVP campaign after signing with the Angels as a free agent, had an injury-marred 2009 season.
Restricted to 100 games, he was coming off knee surgery when he sustained a torn chest muscle several days before the season opener. A leg injury sent him back to the disabled list on July 10 for three weeks.
Hitting .295, Guerrero ended a string of 12 consecutive seasons hitting at least .300, and he fell 10 homers shy of 25, a figure he had reached or exceeded for 11 seasons in a row.
Guerrero excelled as the DH in postseason play against the Red Sox and Yankees, batting .378 with a homer and seven RBIs in nine games. After the Yankees eliminated the Angels in Game 6 of the AL Championship Series, Guerrero expressed a desire to return to Anaheim but also said he wanted to prove he could still play right field.
The signing of Abreu gives the Angels a packed outfield with Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera also returning and Gary Matthews Jr. and Reggie Willits in reserve.
"I'd like to stay with the Angels," Guerrero said, "but I have no idea what's going to happen."
Figgins, one of the game's premier leadoff men and a Gold Glove Award candidate at third base, has few peers in terms of versatility and could appeal to a number of clubs at a variety of positions.
Figgins finished second in the American League in runs scored with 114, establishing a career-high with a .395 on-base percentage while batting .298 and stealing 42 bases. But he struggled in the postseason, batting .086 with a .200 on-base percentage in 35 at-bats.
Like Guerrero, Figgins said his preference was to return to the Angels but was unsure how the winter would play out.
"This organization has been good to me, and it fits my style of play perfectly," Figgins said. "I'll just have to wait and see what happens."
Escobar has missed almost all of two seasons with shoulder issues resulting in surgery. He made one start in June, giving up four earned runs in five innings in Detroit, but complications with the shoulder forced him out for the rest of the season.
Escobar was an 18-game winner in 2007 as the staff co-ace with Lackey and was in the Cy Young Award conversation before shoulder issues surfaced in September. He has struggled to make it back ever since, enduring a series of setbacks, but hopes to catch on and make a big comeback.
"I'm only 33," Escobar said. "I think I still have some good years left."
Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
