White Sox Decline Jermaine Dye's Option

The Chicago White Sox have declined their portion of Jermaine Dye's $12M 2010 option, espn.com is reporting. Dye's 2010 option was a mutual option, requiring both sides to pick up the option for it to kick in. While Dye did pick up the option, the White Sox have declined it, paying $1M to dye in the process. Dye now becomes an unrestricted free agent, who is eligible to sign with any team, including a possible re-signing with the White Sox.

Dye, 35, signed a two-year, $22 million extension late in the 2007 season. This year, Dye batted .250 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 141 games. Dye is considered a Type A free agent, meaning that if a team signs Dye for 2010, they will have to give up their #1 draft pick in the 2010 MLB Draft.

Jermaine Dye's decreased production in 2009 may have cost him a $12M contract in 2010