Francisco Rodriguez’s $17.5 million mutual option has been declined, and the Milwaukee Brewers reliever was among 148 players who become free agents Sunday.
K-Rod’s deal was reworked when he was traded from the Mets during the All-Star break, changing it from an option that would have become guaranteed had he finished 55 games. Rodriguez, used as a setup man by the Brewers, gets a $4 million buyout, up from the original $3.5 million.
In August, Rodriguez said he would consider coming back to the Mets.
“I understand this is a business,” Rodriguez said. “They did what they needed to do and feel what they need to early in the year to trade me, [but] the door is still open. I’m not the type of person that is going to burn bridges and say, ‘No, I’m not coming to this place because they traded me’ or whatever.
“I’m open-minded and open to come here to New York once again in the future.”
In addition, the Brewers declined a $6 million club option on shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, who gets a $2 million buyout.
Others whose options were declined included Atlanta outfielder Nate McLouth; Colorado right-hander Aaron Cook; and the San Diego trio of right-handers Aaron Harang and Chad Qualls, and outfielder Brad Hawpe.