NEW YORK -- Former Cy Young Award winner Orel Hershiser became the fourth member of the New York Mets to file for free agency Monday.

Hershiser, who shared the team lead with 13 wins in 1999, was among 16 players who filed Monday, bringing the total to 65 since the declaration period began on Thursday.

Also opting to test the market were righthander John Burkett and lefthander Mike Myers of the Texas Rangers, lefthander Buddy Groom of the Oakland Athletics and veteran righthander Jeff Brantley of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Infielders Charlie Hayes of the San Francisco Giants, Kurt Abbott of the Colorado Rockies and Jeff Huson of the Anaheim Angels were among the others, along with catcher Turner Ward of the National League champion Atlanta Braves and outfielder Turner Ward of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bobby Ayala of the Chicago Cubs, Jason Bere of the Milwaukee Brewers, Mike Fetters and Arthur Rhodes of the Baltimore Orioles, Doug Henry of the Houston Astros and Mark Langston of the Cleveland Indians were the other pitchers who filed Monday.

Hershiser, 41, was 13-12 with a 4.58 ERA in 32 starts, helping the Mets secure the NL wild card berth in his only season with the team. He tied for first on the team in starts and was second behind Al Leiter with 179 innings pitched.

Hershiser was dropped from the postseason rotation but tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings in three relief appearances as New York took the Braves to six games in the NL Championship Series. The 1988 Cy Young Award winner with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Hershiser recorded his 200th major league victory on July 22 at Montreal.

He joins lefthander Kenny Rogers, first baseman John Olerud and outfielder Shawon Dunston as Mets who have filed for free agency.

Burkett, who turns 35 later this month, became the eighth member of the AL West champion Rangers to declare. He was 9-8 in 1999 with a 5.62 ERA in 30 games, including 25 starts. Despite allowing 184 hits in 147 1/3 innings, Burkett won five of his last six decisions.

Since the filing period began, Olerud and Cincinnati Reds slugger Greg Vaughn have been the marquee names to declare. Others include Indians closer Mike Jackson and Brewers catcher Dave Nilsson.

Eligible free agents have until November 11 to file. Among the eligible players who have yet to file are Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Buhner and Anaheim Angels lefthander Chuck Finley.

This year's crop does not compare to last year, when players such as Randy Johnson, Kevin Brown, Bernie Williams, Mo Vaughn, Albert Belle, Rafael Palmeiro, Brian Jordan and Roberto Alomar were available.