The Angels have declined David Murphy's $7 million option for 2016, instead paying him a $500,000 buyout and allowing him to become a free agent.
The Angels are still expected to attempt to bring Murphy back, although at a lesser salary. Murphy can negotiate with all 30 teams.
Murphy hit .265 with a .681 OPS for the Angels over the final two months of the season, after they acquired him from the Cleveland Indians in late July. They got him to be the designated hitter, but when David DeJesus slumped, Murphy became the left fielder against right-handed pitchers.