Posted at 9:07 a.m., Friday, October 19, 2007
Baseball: Koskie becomes eligible for free agency
Associated Press
MILWAUKEE — Corey Koskie became eligible for free agency today when the Milwaukee Brewers declined his $6.5 million option for 2008.
The 34-year-old third basemen gets a $500,000 buyout. He did not play this season after dealing with the effects of a concussion he received in 2006.
Koskie did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The Brewers said he'll remain on their 40-man roster until he declares for free agency.
Koskie came over from Toronto before the 2006 season for right-hander Brian Wolfe and batted .261 with 12 homers and 33 RBIs in 76 games last year.
But on July 5, 2006, Koskie ran for a popup in the shallow outfield and tumbled backward in an attempt to make the catch. The ball bounced out of his glove and to shortstop Bill Hall, who made the putout, but Koskie was hurt in the fall.
Koskie said during spring training he didn't plan to retire. Doctors told him he was getting better, but could not put a timetable on when he might return to the field.
His option would have become guaranteed if he had 600 plate appearances this year or 1,200 over the past two seasons.
Koskie was the third-highest paid Brewer last season behind Ben Sheets and Geoff Jenkins, but Milwaukee acquired him at a steep discount after the Blue Jays picked up most of the salary remaining on his three-year, $17 million contract.
