Burnett, four Yankees file for free agency

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- Toronto pitcher A.J. Burnett headed a list of nine players filing for free agency Wednesday, a group that included four New York Yankees.

Burnett turned down an option on the final two years of a five-year, $55 million contract he signed prior to the 2006 season. He would have made $24 million during the final two years of that deal.

He had an ERA of 4.07 last season and recorded career bests in wins (18), games started (34), innings pitched (221) and strikeouts (231). His strikeout total led the American League.

New York's Jason Giambi, Mike Mussina, Carl Pavano and Damaso Marte also filed Wednesday.

Giambi spent seven years with the Yankees and Mussina was a 20-game winner for the first time this season.