Putz, Pavano file for free agency; Twins exercise Cuddyer 2011 option

Associated Press

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 5:32 PM

NEW YORK - Mets reliever J.J. Putz and Twins pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency Saturday.

Putz became a free agent one day after New York declined his $9.1 million option and chose to pay a $1 million buyout.

A total of 120 players have filed for free agency since the World Series, and about 60 more are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 19 deadline.

Minnesota exercised a $10.5 million option for 2011 on outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who hit a career-high 32 homers last season and had 94 RBIs. The option is part of a contract Cuddyer signed in 2008 that will pay him $33.5 million over four years. If the Twins had declined the option, they would have owed a $1 million buyout.

The NL champion Phillies said Saturday three players will have operations in the next week.

Closer Brad Lidge will have surgery Wednesday to remove a loose body from his right elbow, and team physician Dr. Michael Ciccotti will evaluate his right flexor/pronator tendon.

On Monday, outfielder Raul Ibanez will have a sports hernia repaired and left-hander Scott Eyre will have loose bodies removed from his left elbow.

(This version CORRECTS SUBS 3rd graf to correct to Nov. 19 sted 10)

Recent Twins stories

Key offseason dates - November 7, 2009

Key offseason dates -

KEY OFFSEASON DATES

More

Half of package for Santana now has been traded - November 7, 2009

Half of package for Santana now has been traded - The Twins have traded two of the four players they got from the Mets for Johan Santana. More

Comments are temporarily unavailable

Our reader comments feature is currently undergoing maintenance. Please check back to comment on this story and join the discussion. We apologize for any inconvenience.