Baseball - Zito and Maddux Filling

This week is characterized by a wave of players who decided to cut ties with the respective team and filling for free agent. The list of newly free agent include more notably Oakland’s Barry Zito and Dodgers’ Maddux

First the most sought-after pitcher in this year's free-agent market Barry Zito decided to fill for free agency on Tuesday. Zito, 28, is currently playing as left-hander with the Oakland Athletics. He is famous to have a coveted and looping curveball. He has a 16-10 record with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts this season. He never missed a start because of injury in his first seven major league seasons with the Athletics. Before the 2006 season the A’s acknowledged that they probably would not be able to afford the 2002 AL Cy Young award winner once he became a free agent. Zito, who won a career-high 23 games in '02, is likely to attract interest from the New York Yankees and Mets, the San Diego Padres and perhaps the Dodgers.

Another major player Greg Maddux, who is the four-time Cy Young Award winner, also decided to fill for free agency. The player traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers by the Chicago Cubs in July decided to search for new career opportunities. Injured closer Eric Gagne, who also played with the Dodgers, also filed provisionally for free agency. According to Gagne’s contract, the Dogers has a $12 million option with a $1 million buyout. But even though the team exercise the option, it can be voided by the player who will receive a $250,000 buyout.

Jeff Weaver, who won the fifth and final game of the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals last Friday and Detroit first baseman Sean Casey, who hit .529 with two homers in the World Series, also filled for free agency. Not less than 21 players of the New York Yankees filled for free agency too including outfielder Bernie Williams, who isn't sure whether he wants to play next year.

In the whole major baseball league, there were a total of 143 players who have filed for free agency. 50 more players will become eligible to file by the Nov. 11th deadline and could be added to this outstanding total very soon.