Cubs' Garciaparra to test the free-agent market

CHICAGO -- Nomar Garciaparra filed for free agency Friday, starting the bidding process for the All-Star shortstop.

Catcher Paul Bako, outfielder Tom Goodwin and outfielder Ben Grieve also filed for free agency Friday.

Garciaparra has said he'd consider returning to Chicago, and general manager Jim Hendry has already spoken with his agent, Arn Tellem. But Garciaparra also wants to test the free-agent market for the first time in his career.

Until he was traded to the Cubs on July 31 as part of a four-team trade, Garciaparra had spent his entire career -- 8½ years -- with the Boston Red Sox.

"I'm going to experience something I never experienced in the offseason," Garciaparra said on the last day of the season. "Like I said, this is one of the places I'll consider. No question."

Nomar Garciaparra appeared in just 81 total games this season.(AP)

But there likely will be plenty of other suitors for the five-time All-Star and two-time AL batting champion. Though Garciaparra was slowed by injuries to his Achilles' tendon, left wrist and groin -- he played only 81 games -- he hit .308 with nine homers and 41 RBI for the Red Sox and Cubs.

Garciaparra hit .321 in 38 games with Boston and .297 in 43 games with the Cubs. He has a career .322 average with 182 homers and 710 RBI.

Bako is solid behind the plate and he was Greg Maddux's personal catcher all season, but he only hit .203. Goodwin hit .200 while Grieve hit .250 with one homer in 15 games with Chicago after being acquired from Milwaukee on Aug. 31.