CHICAGO – The Chicago White Sox have bought out the 2010 mutual option on outfielder Jermaine Dye. As per the terms of his contract, Dye will receive a buyout payment of $950,000 in lieu of a $12,000,000 salary for 2010. Dye will be eligible to file for free agency.

Dye, 35, batted .250 (126-503) with 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 141 games with the White Sox in 2009.

Dye is a career .274 (1,779-6,487) hitter with 325 home runs and 1,072 RBI in 1,763 games over 14 major-league seasons with Atlanta (1996), Kansas City (1997-2001), Oakland (2001-04) and the White Sox (2005-09). He is one of 18 active players with 300 home runs and 1,000 RBI, reaching both career milestones during the 2009 campaign.

In five seasons with the Sox, Dye hit .278 (742-,2,669) with 164 homers and 461 RBI. His 164 home runs rank seventh in franchise history. Dye was named Most Valuable Player of the 2005 World Series as the White Sox captured their first championship since 1917.