World champion Red Sox see 10 players file for free agency

Cardinals' Womack, Morris and Kline also filed.

By Ronald Blum ~ The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Right-hander Derek Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek led a parade of 10 Red Sox who filed for free agency Monday, two days after they were honored in Boston following the team's first World Series title since 1918.

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.

Leskanic filed after Boston declined a $1.25 million option, electing to pay a $100,000 buyout.

Thirteen Red Sox have filed for free agency since Boston won the World Series last Wednesday, and three more are eligible, including pitcher Pedro Martinez.

Three players from the NL champion St. Louis Cardinals filed: second baseman Tony Womack, right-hander Matt Morris and left-hander Steve Kline.

The New York 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.

"We are open-minded to speaking to Richard about coming back next year," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said.

Hidalgo, acquired from Houston on June 17. hit .228 (74-for-324) with 21 homers and 52 RBIs in 86 games with New York. New York has spoken with the agent for Benson, obtained from Pittsburgh in late July. The Mets have said they would like to re-sign him.

Franco, the 44-year-old team captain, probably won't be asked back.

Tampa Bay declined an $8 million option on Tino Martinez and will pay him a $1 million buyout. The Devil Rays, his hometown team, remain interested in re-signing the 37-year-old first baseman.

The Devil Rays obtained Martinez from the Cardinals in a trade last winter and he hit .263 with 23 homers and 78 RBIs in 138 games this year.

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. Guardado, 34, was limited to 41 appearances last season because of injuries.

Also Monday, 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.

A total of 170 players have filed for free agency, and up to 46 more are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 11 deadline.