BASEBALL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Free agency: Right-hander Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek led a parade of 10 Red Sox who filed for free agency Monday. Shortstop Orlando Cabrera and backup catcher Doug Mirabelli also filed along with right-handers Curtis Leskanic, Ramiro Mendoza and Scott Williamson; left-hander Mike Myers; first baseman Dave McCarty and second baseman Pokey Reese. Thirteen Red Sox have filed for free agency and three more are eligible, including pitcher Pedro Martinez. Three players from the St. Louis Cardinals filed: second baseman Tony Womack, right-hander Matt Morris and left-hander Steve Kline. The Mets declined a $15 million option on Richard Hidalgo and opted to pay the outfielder a $2 million buyout. Hidalgo then filed for free agency along with right-handers Kris Benson and Ricky Bottalico, left-hander John Franco and first baseman Todd Zeile, who plans to retire. Tampa Bay declined an $8 million option on Tino Martinez and will pay him a $1 million buyout. Seattle declined to exercise a $6 million option on closer Eddie Guardado, giving the injured left-hander until Nov. 10 to decide if he wants to exercise a $4 million player option or become a free agent. Right-hander Kevin Appier asked to be reinistated from the voluntary retired list by the Kansas City Royals and filed for free agency. Forty-three players filed Monday, including Philadelphia left-hander Eric Milton, Chicago Cubs outfielder Moises Alou, Houston second baseman Jeff Kent, Arizona first baseman Richie Sexson and Anaheim designated hitter Andres Galarraga.
Bowden to take Washington job: The Washington-bound Montreal Expos have found someone to take one of the most tenuous jobs in sports. Jim Bowden, Cincinnati's general manager from 1992-2003, was to be announced as Washington's GM today.
Mets: Yankees coach Willie Randolph, Texas coach Rudy Jaramillo and former major league manager Terry Collins were invited back Monday for a second round of interviews by the Mets, who hope to hire a new manager this week.
Diamondbacks: Wally Backman, a former Mets second baseman with a reputation for intensity in the dugout, was hired Monday as manager. Backman, 45, was selected minor league manager of the year by The Sporting News for his work this year with Class A Lancaster, which had the best record in the California League. It was his first year in the Diamondbacks' organization. Backman, given a two-year contract with two team options, was chosen over former Seattle manager Bob Melvin and Expos third base coach Manny Acta.
Astros: General manager Gerry Hunsicker resigned Monday, less than two weeks after the team came within one win of reaching the World Series for the first time. Tim Purpura, Hunsicker's assistant and the team's director of player development, will succeed him immediately. During Hunsicker's tenure, the Astros won four NL Central titles and finished second three times, including this past season.
Reds: Right-hander Ricky Stone, who pitched for San Diego and Houston last season, agreed Monday to a minor league contract with Cincinnati. Right-hander Brian Rose and outfielder Rob Stratton also agreed to minor league deals. All three were invited to spring training.
White Sox: Tim Raines was hired as first base and baserunning coach. Raines, a seven-time All-Star who once played with the White Sox, replaces Rafael Santana, who will remain with the organization as a minor league infield instructor. Raines spent last season as manager of Class A Brevard, an Expos affiliate in the Florida State League, and had a 52-72 record.
Caminiti autopsy: A drug overdose killed former NL MVP Ken Caminiti, who admitted using steroids during his playing days and tested positive for cocaine in the days before he died. Coronary artery disease and an enlarged heart were listed as contributing factors in the death of Caminiti, Grace Brugess, spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiner, said Monday. She said the death had been ruled an accident.
Athletics: Oakland agreed to a one-year contract with right-hander Seth Etherton. Etherton spent last season in the Cincinnati farm system, going 9-7 with a 3.07 ERA in 26 starts at Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville.
Source: Associated Press