Friday, October 31, 2003
NEW YORK (AP) -- Vladimir Guerrero, reigning AL MVP Miguel Tejada and Gary Sheffield filed for free agency Monday along with pitcher Bartolo Colon.
Relievers Keith Foulke, LaTroy Hawkins and Armando Benitez also were among the 71 players who filed on the second day following the World Series, raising the free agent total to 106 among the approximately 225 players eligible.
Others who filed included Rafael Palmeiro, Ruben Sierra, Mike Cameron, Rickey Henderson, plus the Philadelphia relief duo of Jose Mesa and Mike Williams.
Five players filed from the San Francisco Giants: first baseman J.T. Snow and shortstop Rich Aurilia, plus Andres Galarraga, Tim Worrell and Eric Young.
Guerrero, Tejada and Sheffield figure to be among the most prized hitters in the free agent market, and Colon is one of the top pitchers.
Colon rejects White Sox
Colon rejected a three-year offer from the White Sox. His agent, Mitch Frankel, said the pitcher hasn't ruled out returning to Chicago.
"We will still continue to talk to the team and see if there's something that can be worked out," Frankel said Monday. "He does like Chicago. He liked the players on the team. He would welcome the opportunity to come back. If something could equitably be worked out, he would stay in Chicago."
Colon was only 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA this year and made $8.25 million.
"If you look at the other free agent pitchers that are available, Bartolo has pitched more innings, won as many games, had as good an ERA over the last three years," Frankel said. "I really believe there should be substantial interest."