New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - Greg Maddux, Jeff Kent and Robin Ventura were among the 32 players to file for free agency on Tuesday. A total of 102 of an eligible 180 players have already filed for free agency, as 70 declared on Monday. The remaining eligible players have a deadline of November 12 to file and those who have already done so can only negotiate with their former clubs until November 13. Maddux has spent the last 10 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and posted a record of 16-6 with a 2.62 earned run average in 2002. The 36-year-old righthander, who began his career with the Chicago Cubs, may be headed elsewhere because the Braves may not be able to re-sign both he and Tom Glavine, who filed on Monday. The 34-year-old Kent batted .313 with 37 homers and 108 RBI this past season, helping the San Francisco Giants reach the World Series for the first time since 1989. He hit three homers and knocked in seven runs in the Fall Classic, won in seven games by the Anaheim Angels. Kent, the 2000 NL MVP, earned $6 million in 2002, his sixth year with San Francisco. Ventura had a solid 2002 in his lone year with the New York Yankees, batting .247 with 27 home runs and 93 runs batted in. He was acquired in an off-season trade with the Mets. The Yankees could re-sign Ventura, although the veteran may be looking for a long-term deal that New York is not willing to offer with prospect Drew Henson waiting in the wings. In addition to Glavine, Jim Thome and Ivan Rodriguez were among the big names to file on Monday. |
