With a $12.75 million player option on the table for him and a decision deadline set for 11:59pm tonight, AJ Burnett has elected free agency according to the transactions page on the Phillies website.
This season with the Phillies, Burnett was mainly wild & ineffective, leading the majors in earned runs allowed (109) walks (96) and losses. He finished the year 8-18 with a 4.59 ERA in 34 starts, which was the most in the NL. Through most of the year, the 37-year-old-veteran was pitching with a sports hernia, which likely resulted in his loss of effectiveness as the season rolled along.
Though there is no official Phillies report about this, it looks like Burnett declined his player option. Whether he decides to retire or play elsewhere remains to be seen.
Update (4:30pm) – The Phillies website no longer lists Burnett on the team's active or 40-man roster.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
