Nationals’ Soriano files for free agency
Washington’s Alfonso Soriano filed for free agency Sunday along with San Francisco pitcher Jason Schmidt.
Oft-injured Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood also was among 24 players who filed on the second possible day, as was St. Louis Cardinals backup catcher Gary Bennett, the first member of the World Series champions to file.
A total of 89 players have filed since the World Series from a potential free-agent class of about 200. Players can file through Nov. 11, and free agents can talk money with all teams beginning the following day.
Moved from second base to the outfield by the Nationals, the 30-year-old Soriano batted .277 with 46 homers, 95 RBIs and 41 steals.
Cardinals hold victory parade
The party keeps going for the St. Louis Cardinals, and Tony La Russa suspects some of his youngers players may be beyond his reach.
“For those of you who have been on the streets, I am not responsible for Tyler Johnson and Chris Duncan,” the manger joked. “I just hope they quit celebrating the day before spring training starts in ‘07.”
Hundreds of thousands of fans lined downtown for a parade celebrating the franchise’s first World Series title since 1982. The ballpark was packed, too, just like the regular season, for a rally capped by a daylight fireworks display.
“The Cardinals’ five-game victory over the Detroit Tigers averaged a record-low 10.1 television rating and 17 share, Fox said. This year’s rating dropped 9 percent from the previous bottom, an 11.1 for a four-game sweep by the Chicago White Sox over the Houston Astros last year.
Looking for a leader
The Oakland Athletics will interview bench coach Bob Geren today and third-base coach Ron Washington on Tuesday as they search for a replacement for fired Ken Macha.
“ Japan Series championship manager Trey Hillman will interview for the Texas Rangers’ managerial vacancy Tuesday, and Texas bench coach Don Wakamatsu will get his turn Wednesday.
They are the last of five candidates general manager Jon Daniels is expected to interview in his search for Buck Showalter’s replacement.