CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Could Grady Sizemore return to the Indians? The Indians and agent Joe Urbon wouldn't rule it out.

"Grady is not going to rule out playing for anyone, including the Indians," said Urbon. "The only difference is now he is able to engage with all 30 teams."

Sizemore became a free agent Monday when the Indians declined his $9 million club option for 2012. They did exercise Fausto Carmona's $7 million option for 2012.

GM Chris Antonetti flew to Scottsdale, Ariz., Thursday to meet Sizemore at his home and tell him of the decision. General managers do not usually fly across country to tell a player that his optioned has been declined unless that player has done what Sizemore did for the Indians.

"It was a difficult decision because of what Grady has meant to our organization," said Antonetti. "We just thought the money it would have cost to pick up his option could be better allocated to make us a better team in 2012. . .We remain hopeful that he can be part of our organization."



The Indians have until 12:01 a.m. Thursday to exclusively negotiate with Sizemore. Then he hits the open market.

Sizemore, whose career has been slowed by injuries over the last three years, appeared in just 71 games last season. He hit .224 (60-for-268) with 21 doubles, one triple, 10 homers and 34 RBI.

When asked to gauge the interest Sizemore will draw as a free agent, Urbon said, "Who couldn't use a three-time All-Star who play Gold Glove center field who isn't even 30 yet? That includes the Indians."

Sizemore has undergone five surgeries -- left elbow, left groin (twice), left knee and right knee -- in the last three years. After playing 639 of a possible 648 games from 2005 through 2008, Sizemore has played in only 210 games over the last three.

"Grady intends to be ready for spring training," said Urbon. "It's up to the clubs, including the Indians, how they will move forward."

Carmona went 7-15 with a 5.25 ERA in 32 starts this year. He has club options for 2013 and 2014.

"We feel Fausto is a talented and very durable starting pitcher," said Antonetti. "Despite his inconsistencies, we still feel he has value and upside."

If the Indians didn't exercise Carmona's option, he still would have been under their control because he does not have the required six years service time to become a free agent. Carmona would have been eligible for arbitration and perhaps could have made more money that way.

By picking up the option, the Indians retain control of his club options in 2013 and 2014.

Carmona was the Indians opening day starter last season, but was eventually passed by Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. With the acquisition of veteran Derek Lowe on Monday, Carmona could be the third or fourth starter in the rotation in 2012.

Sizemore came to the Indians as part of the signature trade by former GM Mark Shapiro. The Indians acquired Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Lee Stevens from Montreal for Bartolo Colon, Tim Drew and cash on June 27, 2002. They are all gone.

Phillips, Lee and Sizemore had never played in the big leagues at the time of the trade. All three have become All-Stars. Colon went on to win a Cy Young award with the Angels.

The Indians traded Phillips to Cincinnati, where he became an All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman. Lee, who won the Cy Young award with the Indians, was traded to the Phillies in 2009 in a salary dump.

Sizemore played in three All-Star games. He hit 20 or more homers and stole 20 or more bases in each season from 2004 through 2008. In 2008 he became just the second 30-30 man in team history when he hit 33 homers and stole 38 bases. Joe Carter was the first.

If Sizemore doesn't return to Cleveland -- and that's how these scenarios usually work -- the Indians need to find an outfielder to replace him. Antonetti said they will explore trades and the free agent market to do that. Kosuke Fukudome, acquired by the Indians last season for the stretch run, is a possibility. He's a free agent, but made it clear he wants to stay in the big leagues and enjoyed playing for manager Manny Acta. Fukudome is drawing interest from teams in his native Japan, who look at him as a cleanup hitter.