OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The Oakland Athletics Friday declined the 2005 contract option on outfielder Jermaine Dye.
He batted .265 with 23 homers and 80 runs batted in in 137 games this past season.
The team said on its Web site that his option for next season was a reported $14 million.
Dye, 30, a former All-Star who was acquired at the trading deadline in 2001, hit .252 with 64 homers and 245 RBI in his three-plus seasons with the A's, but was plagued by numerous injuries.
In his career, Dye, who also has played for Atlanta and Kansas City, has a batting average of .272 with 161 home runs and 611 RBI in 1,039 games.
He has a fielding average of .982, as mostly a right-fielder. He had expressed an interest in returning to the A's next season, but now is a free agent, as is left-handed reliever Chris Hammond, whose option also was declined.
