NewsEight file for free agency on Friday
Byrd, Looper, Tomko, Betancourt among the group
By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com
11/13/09 11:55 PM EST
There's already a lot cooking on this year's Hot Stove, proving once again that the baseball season does not end just because the games do.On Friday, eight players -- including Paul Byrd, Braden Looper, Brett Tomko and Rafael Betancourt -- filed for free agency, bringing the total to 165 since Nov. 5, the first day players were eligible to do so.
The list will grow, as 183 players are eligible to file during the 15-day period for players that ends next week. The list already includes World Series heroes Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, along with such familiar names as Orlando Cabrera, Mark DeRosa, Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero, Matt Holliday, John Smoltz and Orlando Hudson.
Among the notable players that have yet to file are pitchers Andy Pettitte and Randy Johnson, and catcher Ramon Hernandez. Pettitte and Johnson have not announced if they will return for the 2010 season, but there is sure to be interest if they decide to come back.
In Johnson's and Pettite's cases -- as with all eligible free agents -- their former clubs have exclusive negotiating rights until next Friday, when the players hit the open market.
Some free agents have already made quick work of the Hot Stove. Bobby Abreu signed a two-year, $16 million deal to stay with the Angels, and Freddy Sanchez agreed on a two-year, $12 million deal to stay with the Giants. On Friday, Jack Wilson, Sanchez's former teammate in Pittsburgh, agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with Seattle.
The Phillies and D-backs each picked up the team option on staff aces Cliff Lee and Brandon Webb, respectively.
Who is next? What else is cooking? Here's today's look at the Hot Stove -- what's up front, and what could be on the back burner.
Names in the news
Curtis Granderson, Tigers: The Tigers and Angels have been in touch about Granderson's trade availability, but any deal would require young talent rather than extra pieces for Detroit to make the move. Current Angels Brandon Wood, Maicer Izturis, Jose Arredondo and Chris Pettit could be intriguing pieces for the Tigers. The Cubs are also reportedly interested in a deal for the center fielder.
Javier Vazquez and Derek Lowe, Braves: The Braves are reportedly open to the possibility of trading either pitcher. Lowe's price tag (three years, $45 million) could scare a few teams, but Atlanta has a surplus of pitching after signing Tim Hudson. The club is also looking to shed payroll, which makes the two the subjects of trade talk.
Looper, Brewers: Milwaukee declined to pick up Looper's $6.5 million mutual option, instead choosing to pay his $1 million buyout. In 2008, Looper led the Brewers with 14 wins and tied for the National League lead with 34 starts, but he also finished with a 5.22 ERA and allowed 39 home runs, the most in the Majors. Milwaukee is focused on improving its pitching, and GM Doug Melvin has had dialogue with the agent for Mark Mulder and contacted Detroit regarding Edwin Jackson.
Jason Bay, Red Sox: Bay's representative, Joe Urbon, told WEEI.com that he has kept contact with the Red Sox since the end of the season but that "There's just as good a chance of Jason staying with his current club as there is with him going to any other club."
The buzz
• The Red Sox are interested in John Lackey, and general manager Theo Epstein has met with Steve Hilliard, the agent for the right-hander, MLB.com has confirmed.
• Ben Sheet's agent, Casey Close, told ESPN.com that Sheets is doing "very well" in his rehabilitation from elbow surgery and plans to be completely healthy for Spring Training. Sheets almost signed with the Rangers last season but is said to be open to offers from all 30 teams.
• The Tigers have had contact with the agents for relievers Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, second baseman Placido Polanco and shortstop Adam Everett, but those discussions are believed to be preliminary ahead of follow-up talks later.
• FOX Sports has reported that Texas would be interested in signing Guerrero if he falls into the $3 million to $5 million range (with incentives) on a one-year deal.
• The Astros have been in contact for the agents for Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins and would like to re-sign both. Houston's payroll is expected to shrink next year, so keeping both could be a challenge.
Jesse Sanchez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
