NewsHairston chooses to become free agent
Veteran sixth Yankee to file since winning World Series
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com
11/10/09 6:10 PM EST
NEW YORK -- Jerry Hairston Jr. was one of three Major Leaguers to officially file for free agency Tuesday, making him the sixth member of the Yankees' World Series-winning club to do so.
 Hot Stove calendar
Nov. 20: First day free agents may sign with any clubNov. 20: Deadline for clubs to set 40-man rosters Dec. 1: Deadline for clubs to offer arbitration in order to receive compensation Dec. 7: Deadline for free agents to accept arbitration Dec. 7-10: Winter Meetings Dec. 12: Deadline for clubs to tender contracts Jan. 5-15: Arbitration filing Jan. 19: Exchange of salary arbitration figures Feb. 1-21 Arbitration hearings |
Only Andy Pettitte remains unfiled from the group of eligible Yankees. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Eric Hinske, Jose Molina and Xavier Nady all officially completed their paperwork on Monday.
Hairston, 33, batted .251 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs in 131 combined games with the Reds and Yankees, serving as a versatile utility man as he enjoyed his first postseason appearances after being acquired by New York on July 31 in exchange for Minor League catcher Chase Weems.
Playing through a sore left wrist, Hairston hit .250 in the postseason for New York, including making a start in Game 2 of the World Series and scoring the winning run in the 13th inning of Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.
Smashed in the face with a celebratory whipped cream pie from A.J. Burnett, that was the winning moment that Hairston had envisioned. The third-generation big leaguer called it "the best feeling in the world," and said that his thoughts were with his late grandfather, Sammy, a former Negro Leaguer and a member of the 1951 White Sox.
"I knew if I got a chance to do something, I wanted to do something positive," Hairston said then. "This game isn't easy. I just wanted to enjoy the moment. My grandfather never had the opportunity that I've had. That was definitely for him."
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Monday that he did not anticipate any contracts being agreed to with the seven internal free agents before the 15-day period of exclusivity expires Nov. 19.
Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
