Cleveland, OH

After seven seasons the Indians decided to cut ties with the oft-injured Grady Sizemore, declining their club option on their former All-Star outfielder for next season and making him eligible for free agency.

On Monday, the Sizemore, 29, who starred for the Tribe from 2005-08, but was hobbled with a series of injures the past three years, became a free agent after Cleveland declined to pick up the $9 million option on his contract for 2012.

The Tribe ex-leadoff hitter was regarded for his effort and hustling, but has not played more than 106 games in each of the last three seasons and appeared in a total of just 104 over the last two.

The move to cut ties with the popular injury-plagued center fielder, once the undisputed face of the Indians franchise, was not easy for the club as GM Chris Antonetti deliver the decisions on contract options in person.

Cleveland charted a new course for the future by choosing a buyout with their three-time All-Star, who was the last remaining piece of the 2002 multi-player trade that sent Bartolo Colon to the Montreal Expos. Cliff Lee was also part of that blockbuster deal.

"We thought that we were best served at this point declining Grady's option," Antonetti said Monday afternoon on conference call as reported by MLB.com. "We will still stay in touch with his representatives and Grady throughout the offseason and remain hopeful he will remain part of this organization.

"I think both parties remain open-minded to continuing the relationship. It's just not at the option value," added Antonetti.

Cleveland has until 12:01 am Thursday to exclusively negotiate with Sizemore, who can begin talks with other major league teams after that deadline.

Sizemore registered his best years from 2005-08, when played at least 157 games in those four straight seasons. During that stretch, the left-handed Sizemore, usually batting leadoff, hit .281.

In that period, Sizemore averaged 116 runs, 180 hits, 41 doubles, eight triples 27 home runs and 81 RBI.

His efforts were rewarded with three American League All-Star team selections. He also won two Gold Gloves and one Silver Slugger award during those four years.

In the last three years, Sizemore underwent five surgeries as his body took a toll from his style of play.

This past season, he opened the campaign on the disabled list after having microfracture surgery on his left knee. Sizemore also missed two weeks in May with a right knee problem.

After sustaining another contusion in July, Sizemore underwent surgery to address a sports hernia later that month.

He played just 71 games last season, batting .224 with 10 homers, 21 doubles, one triple, and 34 RBI.

Also Monday, the Indians announced the club's decision to pick up starter Fausto Carmona's $7 million option for 2012.

The 27-year-old right-hander, who has played all six of his MLB seasons with the Indians, was 7-15 with a 5.25 earned run average in 32 starts this past year. Carmona is 53-66 in his career.

Cleveland also has options on Carmona for 2013 and 2014.

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