White Sox decline option on Griffey Jr

CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Chicago White Sox declined their $16 million option on Ken Griffey Jr. on Thursday, freeing one of baseball's all-time great sluggers to test the open market.

Griffey, who sits fifth on Major League Baseball's home run list with 611, will receive a $4 million buyout on the nine-year $116 million contract he signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000.

A fan favorite, the 38-year-old outfielder batted .260 with three homers and 18 RBI in 41 games for the White Sox after being obtained by Chicago from the Reds at the non-waiver trade deadline.

Only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Willie Mays (660) have hit more home runs than Griffey.

(Writing by Steve Keating in Toronto)