Canadian Koskie cut loose by Brewers

Corey Koskie is looking for a job.

The Canadian third baseman became eligible for free agency Friday when the Milwaukee Brewers declined his $6.5-million US option for 2008.

The 34-year-old native of Anola, Man., sat out all of 2007 while dealing with the effects of a concussion suffered in the previous season. He'll receive a $500,000 buyout from the Brewers.

Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2006 season in exchange for relief pitcher Brian Wolfe, Koskie batted .261 with 12 home runs and 33 RBIs in 76 games last year.

On July 5, 2006, Koskie ran for a popup in the shallow outfield and tumbled backward in an attempt to make the catch. The ball bounced out of his glove and to shortstop Bill Hall, who made the putout, but Koskie was hurt in the fall.

Koskie said during spring training he didn't plan to retire. Doctors told him he was getting better, but could not put a timetable on when he might return to the field.

His contract option would have become guaranteed if he'd had 600 plate appearances this year or 1,200 over the past two seasons.

Koskie was the third-highest-paid Brewer last season behind Ben Sheets and Geoff Jenkins, but the Blue Jays agreed to pick up most of the salary remaining onKoskie's three-year, $17-million deal as part of the deal that sent himto Milwaukee.

The Blue Jays were disappointedwith Koskie's performance after signing him as a free agent on the heels ofa 25-homercampaignwith the Minnesota Twins in 2004. Limited by injuries to 97 games with Toronto,Koskie battled .249 with 11 homers and 36 RBIs.