Baseball Guru
10-30-2003, 08:03 PM
October 29, 2003
ATLANTA (AP) -- Four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux filed for free agency on Wednesday, perhaps signaling the end of his 11-year stint with the Atlanta Braves.
Maddux was the third prominent member of the Braves to file for free agency, following outfielder Gary Sheffield and catcher Javy Lopez.
This season, Maddux went 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA, becoming the first pitcher in baseball history to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons. He has 289 career victories, putting him in line to join the exclusive 300-win club next season.
Despite Maddux's long run in Atlanta and his chance to make more history in 2004, the Braves aren't expected to make a big pitch to keep the right-hander.
Maddux was in line to become a free agent last season, but he accepted the team's offer of arbitration -- a move than landed him a $14.75 million, one-year contract. The Braves, who are planning to cut several million dollars off their payroll in 2004, wouldn't be willing to pay Maddux anything close to what he made this season.
First baseman Julio Franco and fifth starter Shane Reynolds also have filed for free agency. Reynolds' $3 million mutual option was turned down, meaning he'll get a $100,000 buyout from the Braves.
Several more Braves are expected to join the list of free agents, including third baseman Vinny Castilla, relievers Darren Holmes and Roberto Hernandez, and reserve outfielder Darren Bragg.
ATLANTA (AP) -- Four-time Cy Young Award winner Greg Maddux filed for free agency on Wednesday, perhaps signaling the end of his 11-year stint with the Atlanta Braves.
Maddux was the third prominent member of the Braves to file for free agency, following outfielder Gary Sheffield and catcher Javy Lopez.
This season, Maddux went 16-11 with a 3.96 ERA, becoming the first pitcher in baseball history to win at least 15 games in 16 consecutive seasons. He has 289 career victories, putting him in line to join the exclusive 300-win club next season.
Despite Maddux's long run in Atlanta and his chance to make more history in 2004, the Braves aren't expected to make a big pitch to keep the right-hander.
Maddux was in line to become a free agent last season, but he accepted the team's offer of arbitration -- a move than landed him a $14.75 million, one-year contract. The Braves, who are planning to cut several million dollars off their payroll in 2004, wouldn't be willing to pay Maddux anything close to what he made this season.
First baseman Julio Franco and fifth starter Shane Reynolds also have filed for free agency. Reynolds' $3 million mutual option was turned down, meaning he'll get a $100,000 buyout from the Braves.
Several more Braves are expected to join the list of free agents, including third baseman Vinny Castilla, relievers Darren Holmes and Roberto Hernandez, and reserve outfielder Darren Bragg.