Hershiser Files for Free Agency

Three days after the end of the World Series, Orel Hershiser filed for free agency Wednesday, possibly the start of an off-season of change for the American League champion Cleveland Indians.

Infielder Kevin Seitzer, who intends to retire, also was among 14 players who filed Wednesday, increasing the total to 76 after three days. Players may file through Nov. 10 and start discussing contract terms with any team the following day.

No signings are expected until after Nov. 18, the day of the expansion draft.

Hershiser, a 39-year-old right-hander, was 14-6 with a 4.47 earned-run average during the regular season, but he slumped in the postseason, going 0-2 in five starts during the playoffs and the World Series.

Cleveland, which lost the World Series to Florida in seven games, is looking to overhaul its pitching staff. The Indians may try to trade for Montreal’s Pedro Martinez and are said to be interested in Dwight Gooden if the New York Yankees decline his $3-million option.

Also filing Wednesday were Kansas City designated hitter Chili Davis, Baltimore designated hitter Harold Baines, New York Yankee outfielder Tim Raines and St. Louis Cardinal reliever Dennis Eckersley.

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Tony Phillips, arrested on drug charges during the past season, has won’t be offered a contract for next year by the Angels.

Phillips, who is eligible for free agency but hasn’t filed yet, is due in court Monday to face one count of misdemeanor cocaine possession.

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Angel third base coach Larry Bowa and triple-A Manager Tim Johnson are among the finalists to become the Toronto Blue Jays’ next manager, but the team is not expected to name a successor to Cito Gaston for several weeks, or at least until Manager Davey Johnson’s fate is determined in Baltimore.

Johnson has threatened to leave if he is not given a contract extension, and Oriole majority owner Peter Angelos is considering firing Johnson. If either scenario evolves, Johnson would become a leading candidate for the Toronto job.

The Blue Jays also plan to interview Paul Molitor, the Minnesota Twin and former Blue Jay who filed for free agency this week but is pondering retirement.

In other Angel news, first-base coach Dave Parker has left for St. Louis, where he will replace George Hendrick as the Cardinal batting coach.

Notes

Detroit Tiger second baseman Damion Easley cashed in on his best season in the big leagues, agreeing to terms on a three-year, $8.7-million contract that includes a $600,000 plate-appearance incentive. Easley is a former Angel infielder who never seemed to fulfill his potential in Anaheim and was traded to Detroit in 1996 for reliever Greg Gohr--who retired last May. He hit .264 with 22 home runs and 72 RBIs. . . . Florida Marlin pitcher Alex Fernandez had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, and although he will sit out the 1998 season, he is expected to pitch again, a team spokesman said. . . . Baltimore outfielder Eric Davis, who battled colon cancer and returned to play this season, received his second major award in the last week by being named recipient of the 1997 Hutch Award. The award is named after former major league pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, who died of cancer in 1964, and honors qualities such as competitive spirit and the ability to battle through adversity.