NEW YORK — Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira and Ben Sheets wasted no time in filing for free agency.
The trio were among 65 players who filed on the first possible day. Thursday began a 15-day window in which approximately 180 players can become free agents.
Eligible players may file through Nov. 13, and teams can start negotiating money with players the following day.
A trio of pitchers, Milwaukee’s CC Sabathia, Toronto’s A.J. Burnett and the Los Angeles Angels’ Francisco Rodriguez, figure to be among the most prized free agents in this year’s group. Burnett is expected to opt out of the final two seasons of his $55 million, five-year contract with Toronto, forgo $24 million in remaining salary and enter the market.
Ken Griffey Jr. became eligible Thursday when the Chicago White Sox declined his $16.5 million option. Griffey is owed a $4 million buyout, which completes a $116.5 million, nine-year contract that he agreed to with the Cincinnati Reds before the 2000 season.
The 38-year old hit a combined .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs in 143 games last season for the Reds and the White Sox, who acquired him July 31. Chicago also declined a $2.25 million option on backup catcher Toby Hall, who gets a $150,000 buyout.
Detroit declined an $11 million option on shortstop Edgar Renteria, choosing to give him a $3 million buyout.
Mets outfielder Fernando Tatis, who had been eligible for free agency, agreed to a $1.7 million, one-year contract.
Washington declined a $5 million club option on outfielder Wily Mo Pena, who then exercised a $2 million player option. Nationals reliever Chad Cordero also refused an outright assignment to the minors and elected to become a free agent. The right-hander appeared in six games before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery.
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