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On day after World Series, free-agent market heats up

ARLINGTON, Texas - When Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz to end the 2010 World Series, 142 players instantly became free agents. Under new rules negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement this season, players no longer needed to file for free agency.

Former Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell is one of 142 free agents in this year's crop. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
Former Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell is one of 142 free agents in this year's crop. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

ARLINGTON, Texas - When Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz to end the 2010 World Series, 142 players instantly became free agents. Under new rules negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement this season, players no longer needed to file for free agency.

At 10:30 p.m., as Buster Posey sprinted to meet Wilson's open arms and start a celebration that lasted deep into the Texas night and then boiled over to the Giants' charter plane back to San Francisco, the future of more than a few postseason heroes began to be questioned.

The biggest name was in the Rangers' clubhouse, where Cliff Lee stood in front of his locker and looked around the room as he pondered his next move, entering free agency for the first time in his career.

"I'm not thinking too much about the business decisions right now," Lee said. "I'm looking forward to going home with my family and relaxing. That stuff is going to take care of itself later."

Across Rangers Ballpark, the Giants celebrated the franchise's first world championship since 1954 with the customary champagne spraying. The collection of ragtag role players, dubbed "morons" by Aubrey Huff, could be missing a few parts come 2011.

There is Juan Uribe, who had just seven hits during the postseason, but every one of them seemed to come at a key time. He's a free agent, having made $3.25 million in 2010.

So is Huff, who hit the deciding home run in Game 4. Huff did not have an offer from any team last off-season until San Francisco signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal.

Pat Burrell, who had an awful World Series, striking out in 11 of his 13 at-bats, hit 18 home runs for San Francisco in the regular season. The Giants rescued Burrell after he was cut by Tampa Bay, but after the dismal postseason, the free agent could very well be looking for a new employer this winter.

Edgar Renteria, the one hero everyone will remember from this World Series, will be a free agent, too. He has a $10.5 million club option that will not be exercised. During the season, Renteria said he was contemplating retirement. After Game 5, he didn't know what to say.

But he had thought about these possibly being his last games.

"All the time," Renteria said. "But when we made it to the World Series, I just took it out of my mind and concentrated on what I had to do to help this team win. I think that's why everything worked out good."

None of those names carry the cachet Lee's does this winter. The 32-year-old lefthander is a free agent, and there will be a bidding war for his services. He could go to New York, where the Yankees appear ready to pay him handsomely for a third chance at winning the World Series. Texas will be interested, too, armed with new ownership and boundless hope.

"It's the first time I've been a free agent," Lee said. "I'm going to see what that's all about. It's an earned right by a player once you get six-plus years, and I'm going to take advantage of that and see where it leads me."

Lee has never made that a secret. He wants to take advantage of being paid while at the top of his game. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels understands it could take a commitment Texas hasn't made since Alex Rodriguez to retain Lee.

"We'll look at all the factors when it comes to Cliff," Daniels said. "I think we've made it pretty clear we'd love to have him back. We've tried to make it as little of a distraction as possible in talking about his free-agent status."

But once the Series ended, Lee's intriguing off-season began. And it will be the most-discussed topic in baseball during its winter vacation.