The Phillies declined the options on closer Brad Lidge and starter Roy Oswalt Monday afternoon.
Both moves were expected, with Lidge due to earn $12.5 million in 2012, and Oswalt $16 million.
By not exercising their options, the Phillies paid a combined $3.5 million to buy them out. But that doesn’t mean the Phillies couldn’t bring them back at a hometown discount.
“While we will not pick up either of their options, we will remain in contact with representatives for both players about the possibility of bringing them back for the 2012 season,” said GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. “Brad and Roy both made significant contributions to the Phillies over the past several seasons.”
Lidge, 34, went 0-2 with a 1.40 ERA in 25 appearances last season. He saved 112 games, including 12-for-12 in the postseason, in four seasons here.
Oswalt, 34, went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA last season. In 36 games (35 starts) he went 16-11 with a 2.96 for his Phils career.
