BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : Clark Among Players Filing for Free Agency

Will Clark filed for free agency, Otis Nixon bid goodby to the Atlanta Braves and Toronto cut its ties with Jack Morris Monday as baseball’s business season began.

Clark, Nixon and National League batting champion Andres Galarraga were among 21 players who filed for free agency, the start of the two-week filing period.

Clark, a first baseman who has spent his entire career with the San Francisco Giants, is the biggest name among the 118 players eligible. He slumped to a .283 average this season with 14 home runs and 73 runs batted in.

Nixon had a rare player option worth $2.5 million, but decided against exercising it and will seek more in the open market. The Braves have hinted they intend to go with Deion Sanders next season.

Players can’t talk money, except with their former clubs, until Nov. 8, but may have general discussions with other teams after they file.

The Blue Jays will not exercise their $5.15 million option and instead will pay Morris a $1 million buyout. Morris, a 38-year-old right-hander, was 7-12 this year with a 6.19 ERA. Ligament damage in his right elbow may end his career.

Galarraga hit .370 with 22 homers and 98 RBIs as he became the first player on an expansion team to win a batting title. The first baseman, who signed with Colorado last Nov. 16, made $850,000.

Montreal pitcher Dennis Martinez, Texas first baseman Rafael Palmeiro and Cincinnati third baseman Chris Sabo were among other players that filed for free agency.

The Chicago White Sox exercised their $2-million option on infielder Ozzie Guillen, and the Philadelphia Phillies exercised a $2.6-million option on outfielder Lenny Dykstra and a $2.2-million option on Mariano Duncan.

*

Gene Lamont, who led the Chicago White Sox to their first division title in 10 years, was voted American League manager of the year by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.

Buck Showalter of the New York Yankees was second. Cito Gaston, who hasn’t won the award despite leading the Toronto Blue Jays to consecutive World Series titles, was third.

*

Former Labor Secretary Lynn Martin is refusing to comment on reports that she could become major league baseball’s first female commissioner.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that unidentified sources said Martin has been approached by baseball representatives about the position. The spot has been open since Fay Vincent was forced to resign in September 1992.