The Mets will have roughly $26 million to spend on free agent this winter, with a number of major salaries coming off the books. Pedro Martinez ($11 million), Moises Alou ($7.5 million), Oliver Perez ($6.5 million) and Orlando Hernandez ($6.5 million) will all come off the books, cutting $31 million in salary. However, raises for Johan Santana, Jose Reyes and David Wright offset that number by $5 million.

The Phillies are still newly-minted World Series champions, but with free agency beginning a decision will have to be made regarding Pat Burrell. Burrell, popular in the clubhouse, has posted averages of 30 home runs and 90 RBIs in the last four seasons. The left fielder, 32, reportedly turned down a 2-year, $22 million offer from Philadelphia.

Manny Ramirez, Ben Sheets and Jason Varitek were among the 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first day players were eligible to file. Ryan Dempster, Milton Bradley and Joe Crede were other notables that filed. Dempster is one player that hopes to remain with his current team. "Absolutely. I love it here," Dempster said two days after the Cubs were swept from the NLDS. "I love the city. I love playing here. Hopefully, everything works out."

The Rays hope to begin talks with Rocco Baldelli regarding a new contract soon. Baldelli, who hit a solo homer in Game 5 of the World Series, played both right field and designated hitter for Tampa Bay in the second half of the season after returning from a mitochondrial disorder. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for Rocco on and off the field," Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Thursday. "We do have a special relationship. To be a part of what he's gone through, and see him at the lowest of moments, I think, has created that personal relationship. I'm sure we'll talk in the next few days."

Right fielder Bobby Abreu filed for free agency on Thursday and isn't a lock to return to the Yankees even though he has said he'd like to remain in New York. The Yankees have reportedly had internal discussions about retaining Abreu, 35, and will likely offer him arbitration by Dec. 7 for a variety of reasons. Offering him arbitration would give the Yankees draft picks should he decline the offer.

New Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik refused to say whether Seattle will make a push to sign Ken Griffey Jr., who is still beloved in the Northwest. That was hours after the White Sox made Griffey a free agent. ?We can?t comment on any specific free agent at this time,? Zduriencik said Thursday afternoon through a spokesman in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Orioles' president Andy MacPhail reiterated on Thursday that extending the contracts of Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis are among the team's offseason priorities. "I would say we're still in the initial contact phase, but there have been conversations as it relates to both players," MacPhail said. "We have plenty of time to talk to the two of them, but it's not a horse race. It's not one over the other or one ahead of the other. We're interested in talking to them both."

The Reds are expected to at least explore the idea of signing free agent pitcher Mark Mulder this off-season. St. Louis turned down the option on Mulder's contract last week. "I've got to see what the medical situation is," GM Walt Jocketty said. "I traded for him and re-signed him. I obviously liked him." Mulder has been limited to 122/3 innings over the last two years because of shoulder problems. He was 97-50 with a 3.87 ERA before his shoulder problems began three years ago.

The Tigers have declined the option on shortstop Edgar Renteria's contract, choosing to give him a $3 million buyout instead of retaining him for $11 million in 2009. Detroit previously announced plans to part ways with Renteria, who hit .270 with 10 homers and 55 RBIs this season. The Tigers acquired the five-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove shortstop shortly after the 2007 season from Atlanta for pitcher Jair Jurrjens and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez.

The White Sox have declined the $16.5 million option on the contract of outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., making him a free agent this winter. Griffey is still owed a $4 million buyout, which completes the $116.5 million, nine-year contract that he signed with the Reds before the 2000 season. "He was as classy, appreciative, and complimentary as a man can be. He said he'd never smiled and laughed so much at the ballpark since he was a kid," White Sox GM Ken Williams said. "I wish we could have gone further in the playoffs to enhance those feelings." Griffey, 38, hit a combined .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs in 143 games last season for the Reds and the White Sox.