ARLINGTON, Texas – When Brian Wilson struck out Nelson Cruz to end the 2010 World Series, 142 players instantly became free agents. Under new rules negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement this season, players no longer needed to file for free agency.
At 10:30 p.m., as Buster Posey sprinted to meet Wilson's open arms and start a celebration that lasted deep into the Texas night and then boiled over to the Giants' charter plane back to San Francisco, the future of more than a few postseason heroes began to be questioned.
The biggest name was in the Rangers’ clubhouse, where Cliff Lee stood in front of his locker and looked around the room as he pondered his next move, entering free agency for the first time in his career.
“I’m not thinking too much about the business decisions right now,” Lee said. “I’m looking forward to going home with my family and relaxing. That stuff is going to take care of itself later.”
Across Rangers Ballpark, the Giants celebrated the franchise’s first world championship since 1954 with the customary champagne spraying. The collection of ragtag role players, dubbed “morons” by Aubrey Huff, could be missing a few parts come 2011.
Full story: On day after World Series, free-agent market heats up | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/03/2010