FREE AGENCY Players' choices are mostly for change

Of approximately 180 players potentially eligible for free agency, 119 filed in the first three days.
NEW YORK (AP) -- Brian Jordan wants out of Los Angeles following the Dodgers' decision not to extend his contract.
Roger Clemens, meanwhile, declined to exercise the phantom $10.3 million player option in his contract with the New York Yankees. The five-time Cy Young Award winner gets the $10.3 million, anyway, in the form of a buyout and becomes eligible for free agency.
Angel joins group
Seventeen players filed for free agency Wednesday, including first baseman Orlando Palmeiro, the first player on the Anaheim Angels to become a free agent since the team won Game 7 of the World Series on Sunday.
Of approximately 180 players potentially eligible for free agency, 119 filed in the first three days.
St. Louis Cardinals reliever Dave Veres filed Wednesday after the team declined a $5.25 million option and gave him a $500,000 buyout. St. Louis would like to re-sign Veres, but for a lower price for 2003. The 35-year-old setup man was 5-8 with a 3.48 ERA and four saves last year.
Philadelphia declined a $1.75 million option on pitcher Ricky Bottalico and instead will pay a $50,000 buyout.
Right-hander Pat Hentgen, who had been eligible for free agency, agreed to a one-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles, a deal that contains a team option for 2004.
Hentgen, 34, had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow in August 2001 and spent most of this season in rehabilitation. He was activated in September and went 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA in four starts.
Jordan hit .347 and had an NL-leading 30 RBIs in September to help keep Los Angeles in playoff contention until the season's final weekend.
Jordan, who hit .285 with 18 homers and 80 RBIs in 128 games, was traded to the Dodgers by the Atlanta Braves last January with pitcher Odalis Perez and a minor league pitcher for outfielder Gary Sheffield.
As a player traded in the middle of a multi-year contract, he is allowed to file a trade demand during the 15 days following the World Series.
If no deal is reached by March 15, and Jordan does not rescind his demand, he becomes a free agent and loses $11.5 million of guaranteed money.