"As expected, the Phillies have declined the 2012 options for pitchers Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt, the team announced in a press release. Both pitchers are now eligible to file for free agency.

In choosing not to exercise the options, the Phillies paid a $2 million buyout to Oswalt and $1.5 million to Lidge.

The move does not mean that Lidge or Oswalt cannot return to the Phillies. Quite the contrary. In fact, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says he would like to bring back the players for 2012."