Lowell, Timlin file for free agency

Third baseman Mike Lowell and reliever Mike Timlin filed for free agency today. Neither of them wrote letters of farewell to their teammates, as far as we know, so they were just exercising their prerogative under terms of the basic agreement. It would be surprising if Lowell went the Schilling route and did not explore what his value might be on the open market, but Schill was a pleasant surprise, so never say never. Timlin, meanwhile, left a fabulous last impression in Game 4 of the World Series, striking out Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki, so even at 42 (his birthday is March 10) he might have a shot to be back.