One day after a court denied Jamie McCourt’s request to be reinstated as Los Angeles Dodgers chief executive, left fielder Manny Ramirez decided he will not prolong comeback talks as he did last off season, announcing today he will return to the Dodgers in 2010. Ramirez’s agent Scott Boras informed Dodgers GM Ned Colletti that he would exercise his $20 million option. Last season, Ramirez hit .290 with 19 home runs and 63 RBI in 104 games. He missed 50 games due to a suspension for violating MLB’s drug policy.

Ramirez is one of few players who have the luxury of deciding whether they stay or go. Just days after the World Series, several players are already out of a job due to their club declining a 2010 option, here they are:

• The Chicago White Sox declined their $12 million option on former World Series MVP Jermaine Dye.
• The New York Mets declined a 2010 option on relief pitcher J.J. Putz. Putz receives a $1 million buyout.
• The Washington Nationals declined a $10 million option on outfielder Austin Kearns. The Nationals will have to pay a $1 million buyout to end Kearns term with the team.
• The Rockies got in on the declining action, turning down catcher Yorvit Torrealba and pitcher Alan Embree for 2010 options. Torrealba received a $500,000 buyout and Embree a $250,000 buyout.
• The Kansas City Royals declined options on outfielder Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo and pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta
• The Houston Astros declined option on pitcher Doug Brocail with $285,000 buyout
• The Milwaukee Brewers declined option for pitcher David Weathers with $400,000 buyout
• The Arizona Diamondbacks declined option on infielder Chad Tracy with $1 million buyout
• The Cincinnati Reds declined catcher Ramon Hernandez 2010 option with $1 million buyout

Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb and Phillies ace Cliff Lee have been among the lucky ones, having their options exercised by the club. Webb will earn $8.5 million and Lee will make $9 million in 2010.

Several trades have taken place already this off season, here they are:

• The Tampa Bay Rays traded second baseman Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Jesse Chavez
• The Twins traded outfielder Carlos Gomez for Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy
• The Kansas City Royals traded infielder Mark Teahen to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields

OTHER NEWS ON FREE AGENCY IN THE 2009-10 OFF-SEASON:

Vladimir Guerrero, Pedro Martinez Highlight 39 Players Filing for Free Agency on Friday

Holliday, Lackey, Highlight 79 MLB Players Opting for Free Agency

Matsui, Damon, Guerrero Highlight List of 183 Potential MLB Free Agents

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Matthew Coller is staff member of  the Business of Sports Network and is a freelance writer. He can be followed on Twitter

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