Big Rush On MLB's First Free-Agent Filing Day

Sports News - November 6th, 2009 - Written by John

With the New York Yankees celebrating their 27th World Series victory with a parade today, and the MLB season barely over, a wave of players have already applied for free agency, thus beginning the MLB Transactions.

On the first possible day, outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay were the biggest position names to file, setting themselves up for big pay days on the market. Other big names include first baseman Carlos Delgado, and pitchers John Smoltz, Billy Wagner and John Garland.

Garland was forced to become a free agent after the Los Angeles Dodgers declined his $10 million option, instead inheriting a buyout of $2.5 million.

But the Los Angeles Angels appear to be headed for a blowup of their core roster. Their ace, John Lackey, who was the World Series MVP as a rookie in 2002, will be in search of a new home for the first time in his career. He filed for free agency, while Chone Figgins and Vladimir Guerrero figure to be following soon. The team did dodge a bullet, of sorts, on Thursday when they took care of their top priority, re-signing outfielder Bobby Abreu to a two-year, $19 million deal with an option for a third year.

"I really feel happy here with Los Angeles," Abreu said. "I really enjoy to play for them, and I think when they started with the conversation for the contract and we didn't have any problems back and forth, it was a nice negotiation. It was no problem to stay and come back with the Angels."

The Chicago White Sox were also able to re-sign a 2008 member, inking Mark Kotsay to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.

Other players to file for free agency were Arizona Diamondbacks' Chad Tracy and Florida Marlins' first baseman Ross Gload. The Marlins were active on the first day, trading their 2002 first-round pick Jeremy Hermida to the Boston Red Sox for pitchers Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez. Jones is the only one of the two with major league experience. He pitched in 11 September games this season, allowing 13 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

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