Kaz Matsui files for free agency

NEW YORK, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- Colorado second baseman Kaz Matsui was among eight players to file for baseball free agency Thursday.

Backup catcher Doug Mirabelli also became the fifth member of the newly crowned champion Boston Red Sox to announce he would become a free agent.

Matsui hit .288 with four home runs and 37 RBI this year. He is the third Colorado player to file.

Baltimore pitcher Kris Benson, Cincinnati reliever Eddie Guardado, Kansas City pitcher John Thompson and San Francisco first baseman Ryan Klesko also filed.

After four days of the free-agent period, the list of major leaguers to have filed has reached 128.