I'm posting this under the RED SOX - ON THE FIELD thread because the information will increase in relevance in the next two weeks.

Here's who has filed as of this morning:


The 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday. Eligible players may file through Nov. 11 (x-filed provisionally dependant on decision by team on 2005 option):

AMERICAN LEAGUE
ANAHEIM (2) -- Troy Glaus, dh; Troy Percival, rhp.

BALTIMORE (2) -- Omar Daal, lhp; David Segui, dh.

BOSTON (1) -- Gabe Kapler, of.

CHICAGO (1) -- Magglio Ordonez, of.

CLEVELAND (0)

DETROIT (1) -- Esteban Yan, rhp.

KANSAS CITY (3) -- Juan Gonzalez, of; Joe Randa, 3b; Kelly Stinnett, c.

MINNESOTA (2) -- Henry Blanco, c; Brad Radke, rhp.

NEW YORK (2) -- Miguel Cairo, 2b; John Flaherty, c.

OAKLAND (3) -- Jermaine Dye, of; Chris Hammond, lhp; Jim Mecir, rhp.

SEATTLE (2)_ Edgar Martinez, dh; Ron Villone, lhp.

TAMPA BAY (1) -- Brook Fordyce, c.

TEXAS (4) -- Jeff Nelson, rhp; Jay Powell, rhp; John Wasdin, rhp; Jeff Zimmerman, rhp.

TORONTO (4) -- Dave Berg, of; Valerio De Los Santos, lhp; Carlos Delgado, 1b; Chris Gomez, ss.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL LEAGUE
ARIZONA (3) -- Carlos Baerga, 1b; Jeff Fassero, lhp; Shane Reynolds, rhp.

ATLANTA (3) -- Paul Byrd, rhp; J.D. Drew, of; Jaret Wright, rhp.

CHICAGO (5) -- Matt Clement, rhp; Mark Grudzielanek, 2b; Ramon Martinez, ss; Glendon Rusch, lhp; Todd Walker, 2b.

CINCINNATI (2) -- Darren Bragg, of; Todd Van Poppel, rhp.

COLORADO (4) -- Jeromy Burnitz, of; Royce Clayton, ss; Todd Greene, c; Mark Sweeney, of.

FLORIDA (4) -- Armando Benitez, rhp; Wil Cordero, 1b; x-Damion Easley, 2b; Rudy Seanez, rhp.

HOUSTON (2) -- Carlos Beltran, of; Dan Miceli, rhp.

LOS ANGELES (5) -- Adrian Beltre, 3b; Steve Finley, of; Jose Hernandez, 2b; Jose Lima, rhp; Paul Shuey, rhp.

MILWAUKEE (0)

MONTREAL (1) -- Einar Diaz, c.

NEW YORK (1) -- Mo Vaughn, 1b.

PHILADELPHIA (3) -- Cory Lidle, rhp; Kevin Millwood, rhp; Todd Pratt, c.

PITTSBURGH (0)

ST. LOUIS (1) -- x-Chris Carpenter, rhp.

SAN DIEGO (1) -- Rich Aurilia, ss.

SAN FRANCISCO (2) -- Ricky Ledee, of; Robb Nen, rhp.


This thread will be updated as needed.


Anni

From the October 29 Globe: Fast start to free agency for Beltran

BASEBALL NOTEBOOK
Fast start to free agency for Beltran
By Associated Press | October 29, 2004

Carlos Beltran got off to a fast start in the free agent market, too.

After hitting eight home runs for the Houston Astros to tie the postseason record, the speedy center fielder was among 65 players who filed for free agency yesterday on the first possible day.

Acquired during the season from Kansas City, Beltran has said he would consider re-signing with the Astros if they keep the core of the team together.

"I experienced being on a team where they don't do anything to help the ball club," said Beltran, who may get the biggest deal of the offseason. "One of my priorities if I stay with this ball club will be keeping the young guys. Our young players have potential to be real good."

The Astros exercised Craig Biggio's $3 million option. They declined Jeff Kent's $9 million option and will pay the second baseman a $700,000 buyout.

However, general manager Gerry Hunsicker said the team "made it clear to him that we had interest in sitting down with him and bringing him back under another contract scenario."

From Bob Hohler's Red Sox Notebook in the October 29 Globe: Likely many of this rank could soon be filing



RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Likely many of this rank could soon be filing
By Bob Hohler, Globe Staff | October 29, 2004

The championship euphoria has hardly abated. However it's never too early to start thinking about free agency. Not so much who's coming, but which Red Sox may not be around to bask in the Fenway love when the 2004 World Series flag is raised in April.

Seventeen players on the current roster have until Nov. 11 to file for free agency, most notably righthanders Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, shortstop Orlando Cabrera, and catcher Jason Varitek. Third baseman Bill Mueller and reliever Curtis Leskanic hold player options for 2005.

The only player to file thus far is outfielder Gabe Kapler. Others who will decide soon are pitchers Terry Adams, Pedro Astacio, Ramiro Mendoza, Mike Myers, and Scott Williamson; catcher Doug Mirabelli; infielders Dave McCarty, Ricky Gutierrez, and Pokey Reese; and designated hitter Ellis Burks.

The Sox have until Dec. 7 to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents. Those players have until Dec. 19 to accept or reject the offers. The following day is the deadline for teams to offer 2005 contracts to unsigned players.

ESPN is reporting that Pedro filed for free agency already on Sportscenter this morning.

This was posted in a forum at NYYFans.com. Apaarently, the poster heard Gammons on the radio in NY:
Gammons said:


Pretty interesting stuff to listen to. They all think that Gammons is full of crap over on their boards since he isnt saying what they want to hear, but this is all speculation. With that said, what do you guys think of the possibility of us getting Zito in a trade with the A's this offseason? It's still pretty well known that the A's have already decided that Zito will be gone after next season because they are choosing to keep Hudson and Mulder, and that they are not going to keep him around all of next season because that isnt Beane's style (keeping players and letting them walk at the end of the year).

And the more and more I read about all of this stuff, I continue to think that Pavano or Zito will be in our rotation next year. I have said numerous times that I believe Pedro will be back, along with Varitek. This is going to be another fun offseason. Gammons said on SC this morning that it wouldnt surprise him if the Giants made a run at Pedro. Interesting.

EDIT: NYYFans.com Forum

Manny(and Sosa) drawing interest from Mets

[quote=MTSUDaff,Oct 29 2004, 10:55 AM]



When I heard Gammons say all these things, I thought to myself, "What now?" Obviously it's all speculation at this point, but if the following things Gammons says due end up being true, where the hell do we go from there?[/quote]
Pretty interesting stuff to listen to. They all think that Gammons is full of crap over on their boards since he isnt saying what they want to hear, but this is all speculation.

EDIT: NYYFans.com Forum
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Interesting. seems similar to the opinions expressed about Gammons on this board

Mo Vaughn's available?!?!? BUST OUT THE CHECK BOOK, THEO!!

Ricky Guttierez is making $4.16 mil???!!!???!!!

How?

www.newsday.com/sports/ba...-headlines

Also, Cubs front office was told to trade Sosa

If this is true, it's kind of surprising that the yankees declined Lieber's option...

"If the Twins are unable to reach agreement on a new contract with free-agent starting pitcher Brad Radke, Jon Lieber, who beat Minnesota and the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs, is available because the Yankees have declined their $8 million option on him for next year. The Yankees have earmarked that money for ex-Twins free-agent pitcher Eric Milton of the Philadelphia Phillies."

Good link...it lists all free agents, and turns the names bold when they've filed:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1911763

So the Mets are interested in Manny and Sosa? Who the hell is making those calls? Must be the same guy that traded Kasmir for Zambrano.

Pavano worries me a bit. He might just be another good pitcher in FLA but not so good elsewhere. (I have similar theories on hitters from the Rockies, and pitchers from the Braves and Dodgers. - Hi Paul Quatrill!!!)

I would like to see the Sox show interest in Radke and Clement, though I don't think either will be a savior. (but they will be more than an match to fill Lowe's vacancy in the rotation.) Paul Byrd may be an interesting wild card...

For hitters, not too many of these guys do it for me compared to the current group, except for Magglio - If Manny goes, he is the best replacement. I do hope they sign Cabrera. He can make a huge impact even hitting .275...

If his arm didn't fall off last year, I wouldn't have minded Glaus at 3rd, move Mueller to 2B...

I guess Gabe is gone, huh? Can't blame him...He can play everyday and make his money somewhere else, he already has his ring.

Mo Vaughn really filed for FA? Damn...

Bluesman

To answer my own question..he is only making to league minimun from the Red Sox, his former team paid most of that 4.16 mil

I read that Vaughn only filed to get off the Mets' 40-man.

i wouldnt mind sneaking in and takin glaus...

speaking of third basemen... i was the one who was seeing lowell in a red sox uni next spring... that apparently isnt happening 25.5 million dollars later

[quote=MTSUDaff,Oct 29 2004, 10:55 AM]
When I heard Gammons say all these things, I thought to myself, "What now?" Obviously it's all speculation at this point, but if the following things Gammons says due end up being true, where the hell do we go from there?[/quote]
Pretty interesting stuff to listen to. They all think that Gammons is full of crap over on their boards since he isnt saying what they want to hear, but this is all speculation. With that said, what do you guys think of the possibility of us getting Zito in a trade with the A's this offseason? It's still pretty well known that the A's have already decided that Zito will be gone after next season because they are choosing to keep Hudson and Mulder, and that they are not going to keep him around all of next season because that isnt Beane's style (keeping players and letting them walk at the end of the year).


EDIT: NYYFans.com Forum
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Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada say hi. That is exactly Beane's style. He would rather get the production and then take the draft picks after the season.

Lowell's notorius for stinking it up after the ASB anyways...this is fine by me!

i looked at all the players eligible for free agency this year, and unless you want Mike Matheny/Einar Diaz/Brett Mayne equivalent behind the play we better sign tek

btw if we decide we want some pitching who shall we take? i saw a guy who we could take a chance with (zimmerman) and esteban yan (ick), and the following names intriqued me... in alphabetical order cuz im a freak:

-Paul Byrd (a little more realistic than ortiz, since byrd has already filed for FA)
-Steve Kline (because god knows we need a dominant lefty)
-Jim Mecir (not too many guys throw the screw ball, and he throws it well)
-Jeff Nelson (in the top crest of relievers on the market this year)
-Robb Nen (id love a back-end pitcher who can throw high 90s...)
-Russ Ortiz (he would complement Pedro/Curt nicely... assuming pedro comes back, but if he doesnt, Russ makes a decent 2nd starter)
-Antonio Osuna (he earned his money 2 years ago let him earn it here)
-Odalis Perez (I wanted him traded here. When they announced a trade with LA, I was excited. Then we got Mister Roberts (im not complaining now... ) I would take Schill/R. Ortiz/O. Perez over Schill/Pedro... why not?)
-Ron Villone (old, but imo underrated)


now im notorious for saying we're going to get everyone, so ill make it clear that im not wanting everyone on this list... i was just interested in them as individual players, although any combination of 2 or 3 of these would make me happy... especially Odalis Perez/Russ Ortiz/Steve Kline

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but the Sox just picked up Billy Mueller's option for next year! See you in '05 Pro!

Sox Pick up Mueller's Option

I guess that's a big fat no on Beltre!

which is a good thing -- Mueller is probably the best deal on the team(probably only 2nd to Ortiz in value/salary)

WELCOME BACK, BILLY

I could see the Giants (assuming they have the money) picking up Glaus. They are pretty sick of Alfonso by now and could use another bat so pitchers won't walk Bonds as much.

I would love to have Radke on Boston, he would definately be a solid #3 or #2 (God forbid Pedro should go elsewhere) and could fill Lowe's shoes.

I think Lowe goes to Detroit for the big bucks and pitches for his hometown team. I think he won't mind pitching for a losing team since he already has his ring, and he will getting some big money. If not Colorado would be another option...although that didnt work out well for fellow sinker baller Mike Hampton.

i'm thinking that glaus goes to the m's.
they'll overpay, but they need a REAL slugger.
Maybe Radke replaces lowe.
I'm thinking that Lowe will go to the National League, NYM or PHI?

Ted

Pedro Astacio and Terry Adams have filed. Per Sportsline.

I read in Sporting News a while back that Carlos Delgado wanted to go play in Seattle, he liked it there and the M's had interest in him this offseason, and obviously thats not set in stone but if that happens then Glaus is still open... even though i dont think he will be in Boston at all since the team picked up Muellers option.

Here, for your statly perusal, are 2004 VORP for Next Year's Free Agents, sorted by position.

Some notes:
. Varitek is far and away the best available catcher.
. Going just off this year's VORP, there are several good options at short.
. It's a good thing our outfield is set, as there seems to be a paucity this year.
. Our backup catcher notched a VORP of 15.8... another testament to our bench strength this year.

(sources: 2004 VORP from Baseball Prospectus + free agent list from ESPN = this excel spreadsheet)

Schilling use to think the same thing about pitching at fenway it more of a pitches ballpark then made to believe.I take pavano over radke in a second...

Pavano road record in 2004 17 gs, 12-2 2.83

its not necessarily a matter of Glaus playing third base, since Mueller > Glaus defensively (although GLaus has a STRONG arm)... in fact espn listed his postion as a dh... anyone think Glaus would move to first if we were to sign him?

speaking of which, i wish there was a way we could take Beltre... hes only 25, and already on the cusp of an MVP... sounds like Senor Pujols all over again to me

Wpah RedSoxJunkie. Do not ever compare Adrian Beltre to Albert Pujols again. It makes you sound uninformed. Beltre put up great numbers... in a contract year. He's a good player, and I like him a lot, but seriously, comparing him to Pujols is absolutely absurd. He's also going to get a big payday from some club that doesn't care about his sub .250 avg in past years, and we would be dumb to pay him a lot of money.

are you forgeting about our curnet log jam at first that we would need to move?

Question: If the Sox are able to resign Pedro, do they still have the ability to sign another solid starting pitching, Pavano or Radke?

I find it interesting that players are growing sour to the idea of playing for the Yankees. Pavano's New England roots have continued to influence him. Assuming the Red Sox continue to be a playoff team I think you need to look at some play off numbers when signing players so you do not get a Vazquez situation.

Pavano's Playoff numbers:
19.3 inn (2 starts) 3 wins, 1.40 Era, 15 SOs and only 3 walks.

Radke:
24 inn (4 starts) 1 win 2 loses, 2.19 era, 15 SOs and 4 walks.


These are impressive numbers IMO. Both would prove valuable in the postseason. I'm not good at guess contract and numbers, I'll let every one else do that, but both seem to be an upgrade from Lowe (regular season Lowe obviously).


I'm also intrigued by the thought of Vizquel bridging the gap to Hanley Ramirez. We all know about his defense, but he seems to be your typical player who does all the little things well. I think Cabrera earned himself a big payday and the Red Sox are not going to want to tie themselves up long term if everything about Ramirez is true. Could you imagine Barry Larkin and Vizquel turning the double play? I don't think Larkin would be signed as a starter, but a former MVP would be great off the bench. Not sure if he's looking to be that type of player, but from what I've been reading and hearing on the radio, it sounds as though he'd be willing to be that guy in the right situation.

MLB: Garciaparra giving free agency a try

No surprise here, but Nomar filed for free agency yesterday. He said he was interested in staying with the Cubs, though, and would consider a one-year contract to prove he could stay healthy for a full season according to NESN last night.

Anni

on espn a while back, or some sporting news channel, they said larkin would probably be content in a place where he may be able to get a ring, or at least go to the playoffs, and a place where he'll get average playing time. if the sox keep bellhorn, i think larkin would be a nice choice for late innings.

i've heard these visquel rumors. i dont konw if i like him or not. he plays small ball which the sox need, but i think he's lost a step or two both on the basepaths and in the field (some one please correct me if i'm wrong). plus, the sox would like to have another .300 hitter, i don't konw if visquel can give you that.

finally, i hate to say this. i love pedro. i think he loves boston. but from a buisness standpoint, i think you may be able to get both radke and pavano for a couple million more than pedro. like thurm, i'm not great with all the contract mumbo jumbo.

Diamond notes: Players file for free agency


Others filing yesterday:

NL

Cubs:

Nomar Garciaparra, ss
Paul Bako, c
Tom Goodwin, o
Ben Grieve, o

Cardinals:

Edgar Renteria, ss
Mike Matheny, c
Ray Lankford, o


Cincinnati:

Barry Larkin, ss

Colorado:

Vinny Castilla, 3b

AL

Cleveland:

Omar Vizquel, ss

First off, its not that easy to just go around the corner and find a .300 hitter. Secondly, Vizquel had a pretty good year. .291 AVG, .353 OBP, and a .741 OPS. Not too shabby. And in 147 games, he had 396 assists, and only 11 errors, and a 98.2 fielding %. Ill take that (if O-Cab doesnt resign that is).

ya, i didnt really know his numbers, that's why i aksed someone to correct me. thanks. now i'm starting to like visquel

I think they should stay away from Glaus. I think Mueller at third at his salary will get you a great return in production for the money.

I'd rather see them overpay in pitching than at a fielding position

I've been reading posts on this subject all over the 'Net and in the papers, and I'm still not convinced of something. I understand dissecting the dollars per value, stats, etc. I also believe Theo and the Trio will do what's right for the team, but...

...is there NO value in keeping players based on pure fan interest and popularity? This is much more of a luxury when you haven't won a World Series lately, (like say, the Indians or um, the Yankees). But, when you have won one, and the complete bottom line is not necessarily the Ring, isn't it worth a couple extra bucks to keep the guy who splattered ARod in the face? Or the Real Face of the franchise from the last 7 years, the guy with the Golden Arm?

Or Heaven Forbid, the guy who deep-sixed both the Yankees and the Cardinals in the playoffs?

Varitek instead of, um, anybody plus $$?
Pedro vs. Pavano and a couple extra bucks?
Lowe or Radke, maybe even up?

No brainers.

The best interest of the fans is to put a superior product on the field.

If the FA's that we love are not willing to come back at a reasonable price, they must walk. This is the era of Free Agency(and the Almighty Dollar) and players must meet the ownership halfway and be willing to take a hometown discount or sign a reasonable contract that will not potentially paralyze the team in the years to come.

I'm not talking about handcuffing the team with a 5/$50M for Tek... I mean comparable contracts like 3/24 for Lowe instead of the same money for Radke, or a reasonable 2 year salary plus a 3rd kicked with incentives for Pedro instead of saving money for an unproved overvalued new toy like Pavano.

disagree totally on Pavano... he's about to take off, just like Jason Schmidt did when he bounced from Atlanta to Pittsburgh to San Francisco.... now he's an ace.

i wouldn't consider him an ace yet, he's still not controlling his fastball like an ace, and he doesn't control the breaking pitch like an ace. he's got a lot of potential, but an ace is overdoing it at this point.

Well, I'd certainly rather have Pavano than Clement, which has been discussed. Pavano has still only had one good year, remains an injury risk, and could pull the "I stink in the AL/Jeff Suppan" trick. Clement pitched himself out of the Chicago rotation at the end of the season (not unlike Lowe.)

Oddly, I had Pavano, Clement and Lowe on my Roto team.

Radke could work out, but I hear he's happy in Minny. He likes Minky, but Minky wants to play full-time and may be headed out.

No value whatsoever. And contrary to what you just said, the bottom line still is to get a ring. Just because you win once doesn't change the goal. What exactly would the new bottom line be? Field a team of people the fans all like? That would be one horrible way to run a franchise directly into the ground. The logic makes no sense. You want to keep players just because they're popular? That's not a good idea at all, and thankfully, Theo doesn't feel that way.

EDIT-And Clement didn't pitch his way out of the rotation. He was hurt, and pitching through the injury. He was having back spasms IIRC.

[/quote]

No value whatsoever. And contrary to what you just said, the bottom line still is to get a ring. Just because you win once doesn't change the goal. What exactly would the new bottom line be? Field a team of people the fans all like? That would be one horrible way to run a franchise directly into the ground. The logic makes no sense. You want to keep players just because they're popular? That's not a good idea at all, and thankfully, Theo doesn't feel that way.

EDIT-And Clement didn't pitch his way out of the rotation. He was hurt, and pitching through the injury. He was having back spasms IIRC.
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You are right of course, regarding the best way to run an organization. I did not suggest they should field an entire team of popular players, nor fail to continue to have the goal of another ring. I still think there is SOME value for Gods Like Tek slightly overpaid, as opposed to "no value whatsoever."

And I will have to disagree with your take on Clement. I live 3 hours south of Chicago and while he may have had a stiff neck towards the end of the year, even he wasn't taking that excuse. He flat-out didn't have it down the stretch.

Ok, I can agree that it would be preferable to keep "our guys" if we can, so long as their production is equal to or greater than that of any intended replacement. I would rather have Tek then say, Paul Lo Duca if both cost the same, because the numbers are similar, and Tek is already here.

If somehow we wound up with Pedro AND Pavano not to mention Tek back...I dunno what I'd do with myself. Id probally not watch any sports till spring training...il just stay at this site all day and night

Just for the record, my comparison came out wrong... i wasnt comparing the stats, just that they both have been close to an MVP under the age of 25... and obviously Pujols is superior, and one day will be looked at as an all-time great, but for Beltre, he's coming off a career year, and someone that young with that much talent shouldn't be overlooked. Also, I wouldn't take that .250 average too seriously, as this career year resulted from- just one reason- a change in his swing, as over the offseason last year, he changed it. One last thing- Pujols' bat is obviously superior to Beltre from a career standpoint, but one thing that really makes Pujols valuable is his versatilty. Much like Audrey Huff, Pujols can play LF, RF, 3B, and 1B. If Beltre were to show he could play 2B, I'm pretty confident he'd be just as- if not more- valuable than a Jeff Kent. Stats showed that Beltre had batted .278, hit 31.5 HR, and had 94 RBI per 162 games during the last 3 years. In addition to those numbers, Beltre, a righty hitter, would pull the ball into the Monster for doubles. Kents stats are better over the last 3 years per 162, but has missed a total of 59 games over that span. Kent should also get a bigger payday than Beltre, thanks to the consistancy and veteranship of Kent. Obviously, not too many people would be complaining over either of the two, but personally, I'd like Beltre to come. Most likely, the 2B talk is complete nonsense, as I'm sure so many of you will point out , but even if he has to DH or move Mueller to 2B (im sure at least one person will yell at me for bringing that up) he's as valuable as anyone on the market this year, Pedro included (although to this particular team, Pedro is obviously more valuable) Beltre is most likely not headed to Boston with Mueller resigned, so I'd be happy with resigning Tek, or either resigning Pedro or signing Odalis Perez and Brad Radke to fill his holes.

Ok, Beltre over Kent I will agree with. I see what you're saying now. He is obviously not Albert Pujols, and he never will be. But he can hit, and I commend him for playing all year with bone chips in his ankle, and still putting up great numbers. I'm just always wary of a guy who has a breakout season that comes during a contract year.

Theo proved last year, Team needs are Best met through Trade.

Trades will be needed to upgrade the Bullpen, where other than Benetiz who Im sure would be looking for Closer Cash, I see a Free Agent (rp) load of Duds!

Starting pitching? Play-offs proved, re-sign Pedro, Lowe. Unless Pavano would take a World Series discount, wait until the list of Pitchers not offered Arbitration comes out..

Offense? 1 Player Sox need to call, That is Sexson.

Call Ritchie and lets Re-peat!