NewsYanks' Hairston tops day's free-agent list
Pettitte, Griffey, Varitek are big names who haven't filed yet
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
11/10/09 8:14 PM EST
Jerry Hairston Jr., the last remaining Yankees position player eligible for free agency, declared on Tuesday, one of three players to do so on a day the march of free agents slowed to a crawl. The only others to declare on Tuesday were right-hander Elmer Dessens of the Mets and veteran infielder Rich Aurilia of the Giants. The trio brought the number of players who have filed for free agency to 154 since the process began Thursday. The 22 remaining who are eligible but have yet to file have until Nov. 19 to do so. That group includes southpaw Andy Pettitte, the lone remaining member of the World Series champion Yankees qualified for free agency. The 2009 teams of at least two others who haven't filed are thought to have the inside track to their services for next season, which could make their eventual decisions to file a technicality. Ken Griffey Jr., while he has yet to make up his mind about suiting up for a 22nd Major League season, is perceived as being interested in playing only for the Mariners, his original franchise, which brought him back home last year. As for Jason Varitek, the Boston catcher and captain, there already were some media reports that he had exercised his player's option for $3 million -- soon after the Red Sox had declined their option on him, which would have called for a 2010 salary of $5 million. Another player on the unfiled list -- right-hander Jason Schmidt -- is known to be leaning toward retirement after another injury-marred season in which he was able to make only four starts for the Dodgers. Other players yet to declare include Tim Hudson, whose anticipated contract extension with the Braves has not been formalized; Braden Looper, the Brewers' top winner with a 14-7 record; and Rafael Betancourt, the Rockies' valuable setup reliever.Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com and writes an MLBlog, Change for a Nickel. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
