The Brewers have declined the mutual option on reliever Francisco Rodriguez's contract for 2012, making him a free agent.
The option was worth $17.5 million.
Rodriguez's contract was reworked when he was traded from the Mets, changing it from an option that would have become guaranteed had he finished 55 games.
Used as a setup man by the Brewers, Rodriguez gets a $4 million buyout, up from the original $3.5 million.
K-Rod Becomes Free Agent After Brewers Decline Option