Aaron Rowand filed for free agency this week. But while the Phillies maintain exclusive negotiating rights with him through Nov. 12, his California-based agent said Rowand won't re-sign with the Phils until after he gauges offers from other teams. "Let's say a club says it will pay market value and no more, and a player says he just wants his market value. How do you determine that unless you listen to other offers formally?" Craig Landis said by phone Tuesday. "Market value can only be defined by other offers, and the 2007-08 market hasn't been established yet." "We've waited this long. We're just going to wait for the official free agency to start, listen to what other interesting offers may be out there, and see what [the Phillies] have to say." Rowand, 30, figures to be courted by several teams after enjoying his best offensive season. He made $4.35 million through arbitration in 2007 and likely will seek a four-year deal that could be worth about $10 million per season.

Scott Boras says the New York Yankees could still negotiate with Alex Rodriguez if they wanted to. Boras maintained Wednesday that the Yankees should treat A-Rod the same way they deal with reliever Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada, who also are free agents. "Why is it that Alex is the only Yankee who can't become a free agent?" Boras said Wednesday. "That question was not answered, and we think it's a question that's going to be asked for years to come." The Yankees had repeatedly said that they wouldn't negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out because they would lose the subsidy the Texas Rangers agreed to as part of the 2004 trade that sent A-Rod to New York. Rodriguez terminated his contract on Sunday. "We were very sincere and honest and direct with Scott Boras. ... It's a lot of money -- to any franchise, even the New York Yankees," general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday. "It was just a representation of simple economics: $30 million is nothing to sneeze at." New York was owed $21.3 million from Texas over the final three years of Rodriguez's contract, which also called for the Rangers to pay him $3 million annually in money to be deferred.

The Chicago White Sox on Wednesday declined club options for 2008 on infielder/outfielder Darin Erstad and left-hander Mike Myers. Erstad's option was for $3.5 million, and Myers' was for $1.1 million. Erstad's one season with the White Sox was marred by injuries. He twice went to the disabled list and ended up batting .248 with four homers and 32 RBIs in 87 games. He signed with the White Sox last January after spending 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels.

A day after saying he'd written goodbye letters to some of his Boston Red Sox teammates, Curt Schilling has posted a list of 13 teams he'd be willing to play for next season as he enters free agency for the first time. The right-hander, who turns 41 on Nov. 16, made a list that includes the Red Sox but not the New York Yankees. Schilling filed for free agency Tuesday. Schilling wrote on his Web site that his first choice remains re-signing with Boston. "There are a million little things that go into this from stadiums to school districts to travel to spring training to etc. etc. etc.," Schilling wrote, "but the list represents the teams after Boston that have some of the off the field things that are big to us, plus the potential to go into October next year." He listed 2007 playoff teams Cleveland, the Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia, Arizona and the Chicago Cubs, plus 2006 World Series teams Detroit and St. Louis, the New York Mets, Atlanta, the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego and Milwaukee. On Tuesday, Schilling said he was looking for a one-year deal. "If truly, physically, I was at the end of my rope, this would be the ultimate way to walk away," Schilling said in his weekly radio appearance in Boston. "I don't think I'm there."

Center fielders Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, two of the most attractive free agents on the market, were among more than two dozen players the Astros contacted during the first two days of the free-agent filing period. The Astros made preliminary contact with the agents for Hunter and Rowand but can't discuss money with free agents from other teams until the 15-day period expires. "We'd like to figure out a way to either get a center fielder that would allow us to move (Hunter) Pence to right, (or) if it ended up being a corner outfielder and leaving Hunter in center, that's one of the areas we'd like to address," said Wade, who has had trade talks with teams for established outfielders.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman said the team's bid to re-sign slugger Alex Rodriguez never got off the ground because his agent refused to discuss a contract extension. Agent Scott Boras informed media that Rodriguez was opting for free agency as Game Four of the World Series was being played, even though the hard-hitting third baseman had 10 more days to decide his intentions.

Early indicators suggest the Mets are leaning toward a full courtship of Alex Rodriguez, pending David Wright's blessing. This is no small obstacle, since ownership is wary of offending their most marketable and loyal star. "We already have a third baseman," is what one high-ranking official said on Monday. Club officials plan to ask Wright if he still feels that way. As of Monday night, the Mets' third baseman was noncommittal, waiting to hear from ownership. "Nobody has talked to me about any free agents," Wright wrote in a text message. "I would want to speak with Jeff [Wilpon] and Omar [Minaya] first." "We can afford him," one Met insider said confidently. "It's going to be a baseball question more than a money question. Do we want him? Is he a good fit for one team? That's what we have to talk about."

A deal to bring Mariano Rivera back to the Bronx may be in the works, as the All-Star closer and his agent are meeting with the Yankees Tuesday at Legends Field. Fernando Cuza, who represents Rivera, showed up at the Yankees' spring ballpark around 11:45 a.m., accompanied by two of his associates. Ten minutes later, Rivera arrived by himself in a black Mercedes. When asked if he was meeting with the Yankees, Rivera said, "Yeah. We have to see something." Rivera declined further comment, telling reporters he would elaborate on his way out of the ballpark. Rivera was one of five Yankees to file for free agency on Monday, the first day players were allowed to do so. The Yankees are expected to offer Rivera a three-year deal worth approximately $40 million.