A-Rod, Bonds, Hunter among 57 to file for free agency

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10/29/2007 - New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A night after informing the Yankees that he would opt out of his contract, third baseman Alex Rodriguez officially filed for free agency.

Rodriguez, who will lose about $72 million of guaranteed money by escaping an original 10-year, $252 million deal he signed with Texas prior to the 2001 season, was one of 57 players to file for free agency on Monday. It was the first day of filing following Boston's sweep of Colorado in the World Series.

Rodriguez leaves a Yankee legacy that includes an MVP award from 2005 and a likely MVP for this stellar season, in which he blasted 54 homers, drove in 156 runs and batted .314. However, he struggled mightily in the postseason, particularly since the Yankee collapse against the Boston Red Sox during the 2004 ALCS. In the last three playoff years, all first-round Yankee losses, Rodriguez was just 7-for-44.

Also filing was home run king Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants. Bonds returned for his 15th season with the Giants after signing a one-year, $15.8 million contract prior to the season. Then, on August 7, he took Washington left-hander Mike Bacsik deep to pass Hank Aaron as baseball's all-time home run leader. Bonds stands at 762 career homers, and has expressed a desire to play a 23rd season in the majors.

Center fielder Torii Hunter, who also filed Monday, will be a popular commodity this offseason. The six-time Gold Glove winner had career highs of 172 hits, 45 doubles, 107 RBI and a .287 batting average to go along with 28 homers in 2007.

Two other prominent Yankees also filed for free agency on Monday in closer Mariano Rivera and catcher Jorge Posada. The owner of a major league record 34 saves in the postseason, Rivera has played his entire career with the Yankees, compiling 443 saves in 13 years. The 37-year-old righty had 30 saves to go along with a 3-4 record and 3.15 ERA this season. Posada, another career Yankee, hit a career-best .338 with 20 homers and 90 RBI this year.

Detroit closer Todd Jones and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Aaron Rowand became free agents as did outfielder Milton Bradley of the San Diego Padres and third baseman Pedro Feliz of the Giants.

The Mets and Astros led the way with six players filing from each team. Outfielder Shawn Green and catcher Paul Lo Duca filed for New York, while catcher Brad Ausmus and infielder Mark Loretta did the same for Houston.

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FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

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After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

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