Sandberg, Clemens Add Names To List Of Baseball Free Agents

Roger Clemens, possibly making a break with the Boston Red Sox and World Series MVP John Wetteland were among 11 players who filed for free agency Tuesday.

And reports out of Chicago point to Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg as being one of the more disgruntled players to file.

Jim Turner, Sandberg’s agent, angrily said the Cubs forced him into that unwanted move by choosing not to respond promptly to his proposal last week for a two-year deal at an estimated $3.5 to $4 million a year, the second year to be at Sandberg’s option.

The Chicago Tribune reported that GM Ed Lynch wants Sandberg, 37, to accept a one-year deal for less money than he wants, while Sandberg is seeking a two-year commitment with a hefty base salary raise after making almost $3 million in 1996 with the aid of incentives.

Clemens has spent his entire career with the Red Sox. But during the last month of the season, he alluded several times to the possibility of leaving Boston.

Randy Hendricks, who with his brother, Alan, represents the three-time Cy Young Award winner, said it still was too early to predict where Clemens will wind up.

Wetteland, who became the first pitcher to get four saves in a single World Series, has until Nov. 19 to decide whether to exercise a $4.6 million player option for 1997. But he probably will turn it down and seek a multiyear contract.

Also filing were catcher Joe Girardi and infielder Tony Fernandez of the Yankees, San Diego pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, Houston pitcher Doug Drabek, Montreal pitcher Mark Leiter and San Francisco second baseman Robby Thompson.

New Houston Astros manager Larry Dierker completed his coaching staff by hiring Mike Cubbage as third base coach.

Cubbage, a former player for the Spokane Indians, was on the New York Mets’ coaching staff the past seven years, six as third base coach. He also spent eight seasons as a manager in the Mets’ minor league system.

Marcel Lachemann, who resigned as the California Angels’ manager three months ago, rejoined the club as pitching coach on the staff of new manager Terry Collins.