Let the dismantling commence. The Phillies declined their club options on Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge.
Ruben Amaro had previously hinted that the Phillies wouldn’t pick up Oswalt’s $16 million option for 2012, but that they would work to renegotiate with him. Oswalt will receive a $2 million buyout, for now.
Same thing with Lidge. He is due a $1.5 million buyout.
Amaro said in a statement that the Phillies will continue speaking with both players.
Gut feeling? They re-sign Oswalt at a reduced salary and let Lidge go. A tear scampers down the face of my 2008 World Series poster.