BOSTON – Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon filed for free agency on Friday along with second baseman Tony Graffanino.

Damon hit .316 this year with 10 home runs and 75 RBIs. The team’s best relievers, Mike Timlin and Mike Myers, also are eligible to file, as are first baseman John Olerud, and reliever Matt Mantei.

Graffanino, acquired midway through the 2005 season from Kansas City, was an upgrade at second base for the Red Sox but made a damaging error during Boston’s playoff series loss to Chicago.

First baseman Kevin Millar and third baseman Bill Mueller filed for free agency on Thursday. Millar struggled much of the year, hitting only nine homers, and Mueller would cost the Red Sox more than backup Kevin Youkilis, who has split the last two seasons between the Red Sox and the minors.

AP-ES-10-28-05 1950EDT


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