Affeldt, Lincoln file for free agency

CINCINNATI -- Relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Mike Lincoln became the first two Reds free agents when they filed Thursday on the first day of the filing period.

Affeldt, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract on Jan. 23 as a free agent, was 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA over a team-leading 74 appearances. The 29-year-old left-hander, who originally signed to compete for a rotation spot, was a key part of the pitching staff in the late innings.

Over his final 34 games, Affeldt had a 2.23 ERA. Of his 36 inherited runners during the season, 12 scored.

Lincoln, 33, beat the odds when he made the Reds as a non-roster player at Spring Training. He was coming off a nearly four-year stint out of baseball while recovering from two reconstructive elbow surgeries.

In a career 64 appearances, Lincoln was 2-5 with a 4.48 ERA. Of his 49 inherited runners, 12 scored as the right-hander also emerged as an important part of the National League's third-ranked bullpen in ERA.

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty has indicated that he would like to try to retain both pitchers.

The Reds have seven other potential free agents that have yet to file in David Weathers, Jerry Hairston Jr., Javy Valentin, Josh Fogg, Kent Mercker, Corey Patterson and Paul Bako.

Players have 15 days from the end of the World Series, which concluded Wednesday, to file for free agency. Teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own players and can re-sign them during that period.