(MCT) — CHICAGO — Catcher A.J. Pierzynski leads the first batch of White Sox players filing for free agency Monday, and the team is expected to announce soon whether it will give buyouts to pitcher Jake Peavy, third baseman Kevin Youkilis and reliever Brett Myers that will make them free agents.

The buyouts are expected to be a formality, as general manager Rick Hahn said Friday that he has spoken to the representatives for each of the White Sox’s core free agents, adding that he understands their wishes to explore the free-agent market.