New York, NY (Sports Network) - Marco Scutaro drove in Ryan Theriot with the
winning run in the clinching game of the World Series for San Francisco on
Sunday night. On Monday, both became free agents.
A total of 137 players were declared free agents the day after the conclusion
of the 2012 baseball season, including nine members of the Giants.
Joining Scutaro and Theriot from the roster of the World Series champs as new
free agents are pitchers Jeremy Affeldt and Guillermo Mota and outfielders
Angel Pagan and Xavier Nady.
Other new free agent Giants who were not part of the World Series roster are
outfielder Melky Cabrera, pitcher Brad Penny and infielder Freddy Sanchez.
Cabrera, the All-Star Game MVP, was suspended 50 games in August after testing
positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was not included on the Giants'
postseason roster after serving his penalty.
Four Detroit Tigers also became free agents Monday, including ALCS MVP Delmon
Young. Pitchers Jose Valverde and Anibal Sanchez also declared from the AL
champs, as did catcher Gerald Laird.
The New York Yankees had the most players become free agents, as 12 members of
the AL East winners declared. Among the notable Yankees on the open market are
closer Mariano Rivera, starting pitchers Andy Pettitte and Hiroki Kuroda and
outfielders Raul Ibanez, Nick Swisher and Ichiro Suzuki. Rivera, who suffered
a season-ending knee injury in May, has reportedly considered retirement after
initially stating he would come back because he did not want to go out after
an injury.
Top quality pitching appears to be lacking from the initial group of 137
players, as former Cy Young winner Zack Greinke of the Angels and 16-game
winner Kyle Lohse of St. Louis top the list.
Former AL MVP Josh Hamilton of Texas could be the most sought-after player.
Hamilton, despite his stellar numbers over the past five seasons with the
Rangers, also brings along his past substance-abuse issues.
Other notable position players on the market Monday include Atlanta speedster
Michael Bourn, Boston slugger David Ortiz, White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski,
Angels outfielder Torii Hunter, Marlins first baseman Carlos Lee and Tampa Bay
outfielder B.J. Upton.
A number of others could become free agents, pending the decisions of contract
options. Four Yankees, including Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Rafael
Soriano, are among the players in that category, as are NL Cy Young candidate
R.A. Dickey and third baseman David Wright of the Mets; catcher Brian McCann
of Atlanta, Detroit shortstop Jhonny Peralta; Angels pitchers Dan Haren and
Ervin Santana; Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz; Tampa Bay closer Fernando Rodney
and ace right-hander James Shields; and Washington first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Free agents can begin negotiations with any club starting this Saturday at
12:01 a.m. ET.
The Sports Network