21.   If offers were not forthcoming, those players would have from Sunday through Tuesday to file for free agency.

22.   I waited to file for free agency until the very last day, pretty much the last hour for that matter.

23.   In addition to Franco, five other Mets have filed for free agency, with Pete Smith and Kevin McReynolds joining Dwight Gooden, Luis Rivera and Mike Maddux.

24.   It is true that Albert Belle has filed for free agency.

25.   It also should be noted that Piazza never tested the market by filing for free agency.

26.   JACK McDOWELL became the first Yankee to file for free agency.

27.   Mattingly, the agent said, will file for free agency Friday as a formality but plans to talk to no other clubs.

28.   Mike Aldrete became the second Yankee to file for free agency.

29.   Mike Stanley files for free agency on the grounds that the Yankees exercised the option in his contract prematurely, and the clubs reject him.

30.   Meanwhile, starting pitcher David Cone, reliever Steve Howe and outfielder Dion James filed for free agency Friday, increasing the Yankee total to eight.