Marlon Byrd, 4 other Rangers file for free agency

Posted Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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From staff and wire reports

Five Texas Rangers were among the crush of major leaguers who filed for free agency on the first day of the filing period. Teams retain exclusive rights to negotiate with their free agents until Nov. 20.

Hank Blalock, Marlon Byrd and Ivan Rodriguez were the three Rangers position players who filed, and relievers Eddie Guardado and Joaquin Benoit also submitted their paperwork.

The Rangers have expressed an interest in re-signing Byrd and Rodriguez. Benoit, who missed all of the 2009 season, could be signed to a minor-league deal, and Guardado has said that he is leaning toward retirement.

Blalock isn’t expected to return.

Seventy-nine players filed throughout baseball. Among the notable players to do so were Los Angeles Angels right-hander John Lackey, who lives in Aledo.

Former Brewer High star Aubrey Huff also filed after ending 2009 in Detroit. Others included St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday, Boston outfielder Jason Bay, Seattle third baseman Adrian Beltre, Oakland right-hander Justin Duchscherer and Milwaukee outfielder Mike Cameron.

— Jeff Wilson

Briefly

Dodgers: Los Angeles has declined a $10 million mutual option on pitcher Jon Garland for next season, making him eligible for free agency. The right-hander gets a $2.5 million buyout. ... Jamie McCourt, the wife of Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, lost her bid to be reinstated as the team’s chief executive during a hearing in the couple’s messy divorce.

Diamondbacks: Infielder Chad Tracy’s $7 million option was declined by Arizona, which will pay the infielder a $1 million buyout.

Red Sox: Boston acquired outfielder Jeremy Hermida from the Florida Marlins for left-handers Jose Alvarez and Hunter Jones.

Giants: San Francisco star pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state of Washington.

Angels: Outfielder Bobby Abreu agreed to a $19 million, two-year contract to stay with Los Angeles.

White Sox: Infielder-outfielder Mark Kotsay agreed to a $1.5 million contract.

Braves: Pitcher Tim Hudson and Atlanta are nearing a three-year contract.

World Series notables

TV ratings: The Yankees’ six-game victory over the Phillies on Fox averaged an 11.7 rating and 19 share, the highest since a 15.8/26 in 2004, when the Red Sox swept the Cardinals to end an 86-year championship drought.

Hall of Fame: Hideki Matsui’s bat and Johnny Damon’s spikes are among the items from the Yankees’ World Series title going to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Matsui drove in a record-tying six runs in Game 6 and Damon stole two bases on one pitch in Game 4.

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