Cordero, Zeile file for free agency

[Mad'sWife]

10/27/2003 5:55 PM ET
Cordero, Zeile file for free agency
By Bill Ladson / MLB.com

MONTREAL -- The Montreal Expos announced Monday that first baseman Wil Cordero and third baseman Todd Zeile have filed for free agency while pitchers Tony Armas Jr., Orlando Hernandez, Dan Smith and third baseman Fernando Tatis have been reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.
Cordero had his best season since 2000, hitting .278 with 16 home runs and 71 RBIs. Before the last game of the season he said that he would like to return to the Expos and be the everyday first baseman. He also said he would want to make more money with another team and be a reserve player.

Zeile was acquired on Aug. 20 after the Yankees released him. He hit .257 with five home runs and 19 RBIs. Zeile acted like a player representative when talks began about the Expos playing a split-home season.

Armas, Hernandez, and Smith all missed most of the season because torn rotator cuffs and labrums, while Tatis played only 53 games because of inflammation of his chest wall.