Arizona declines 2005 option on Counsell

PHOENIX, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks will not pick up the 2005 contract option on shortstop Craig Counsell.

He remains under contract for the 2004 campaign. The Arizona Republic reported the salary for 2004 is $3.15 million, and a creative arrangement in his current deal left the club with a $4.25 million option for 2005.

"I just don't know at this point what the roster will look like in 2005," Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said on the team's Web site. "We don't know what everyone's roles will be, what the budget will be. There are a lot of variables and it just made sense at this point to not pick up the option."

Counsell, who also has played for Colorado and Florida, has a lifetime batting average of .266 with 16 home runs and 188 RBI. He has played three infield positions and never had more than eight errors in any one season.

His career fielding average is 0.985.