Senior Vice President and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, “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.”
The 34-year-old Oswalt went 9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 23 starts this season. He lost his only 2011 postseason start against St. Louis during Game 4 of the NLDS, giving up five runs in six innings. The former Astro was 16-11 in his 36 games with Philadelphia after spending nearly 10 years in Houston.
Oswalt’s option was for $16 million with a $2 million buyout.
Lidge, also 34, pitched in just 25 games for the Phillies in 2011 after missing the first half of the season with a shoulder injury. The closer, also a former Astro, saved 41 games for the Phillies in 2008, helping them win the World Series. Lidge’s option was for $12.5 million with a $1.5 million buyout.
