A Prince's ransom

Milwaukee Brewers' Prince Fielder.

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Teams faced decisions on just seven Type A free agents as the Wednesday midnight ET deadline approached. A new club signing one of those players would lose a top pick in June's amateur draft, and a team that offers arbitration and loses one of those players would get two extra selections as compensation.

Around the league:

Pujols (St. Louis), Fielder (Milwaukee) and Reyes (Mets) received offers, along with Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, Texas left-hander C.J. Wilson and Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins. They have until Nov. 30 to accept.

The Phillies declined to offer arbitration to right-hander Roy Oswalt, the only Type A player turned down.

Reliever Jonathan Papelbon, the eighth Type A player, already has left Boston to sign a US$50-million, four-year deal with the Phillies. The Red Sox will receive draft-pick compensation for losing Papelbon.

San Diego offered arbitration to closer Heath Bell, who had been a Type A player but was reclassified under Tuesday's labour deal. If he signs elsewhere, the Padres will gain two draft picks, but Bell's new club won't lose any. Philadelphia made an arbitration offer to reliever Ryan Madson and Milwaukee made one to Francisco Rodriguez, who are both in the same category.

Also offered arbitration were Padres pitcher Aaron Harang, Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle, St. Louis right-hander Edwin Jackson, Yankees right-hander Freddy Garcia, Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez, Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena, Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez and Red Sox right-hander Dan Wheeler.

Three free agents agreed to contracts. Left-hander Bruce Chen stayed with Kansas City for a $9-million, two-year deal; outfielder Grady Sizemore remained with Cleveland for a $5-million, one-year contract; and catcher Ryan Doumit left Pittsburgh for a $3-million, one-year agreement with Minnesota.