NEW YORK, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Those expected to be among the most highly sought-after players on the market this offseason were among 71 to file for free agency on Monday.
Among them were Montreal rightfielder Vladimir Guerrero, Atlanta outfielder Gary Sheffield, Oakland shortstop Miguel Tejada and pitcher Bartolo Colon for the Chicago White Sox.
Guerrero, 27, likely will attract the richest suitors. He has averaged nearly 40 homers and more than 115 RBI over his first five major league seasons. He missed 50 games in 2003 because of a back injury, but still hit .330 with 25 home runs and 79 RBI.
Sheffield has been one of the best hitters in the game for years, and had one of his finest seasons in 2003, hitting a career high-tying .330 with 39 homers and a personal-best 132 RBI.
Tejada, 27, the American League MVP in 2002, has averaged more than 30 homers and 116 RBI over the past four seasons while helping the Athletics to as many postseason berths.
Colon reportedly turned down a three-year, $36 million deal from the White Sox. The hard-throwing 30-year-old righthander went 15-13 with a 3.87 ERA in 2003 after going a combined 20-8 with a 2.93 ERA with Cleveland and Montreal a year earlier.
Also on the list were Keith Foulke, Rafael Palmeiro, Rich Aurilia, Mike Cameron, Raul Ibanez, Joe Randa, Tim Worrell, LaTroy Hawkins, and Jeff Nelson.
