SEATTLE -- The Seattle Mariners decided Wednesday night to decline their one-year option on designated hitter Edgar Martinez, leaving the immediate future unclear for one of the team's most popular players.

The Mariners had a $10 million option and had to decide by midnight whether to use it. General manager Pat Gillick said he's not certain what course Martinez will choose next.

"We couldn't reach an agreement on another contract,'' Gillick said. "We'll just wait and see what happens.''

Willie Sanchez, who represents Martinez, didn't return messages seeking comment.

Earlier this week, team officials asked the designated hitter to restructure his contract, working next season for less money. Sanchez said the 13-year veteran would consider declaring for free agency if he can't agree to terms.

Martinez, who turns 40 on Jan. 2, is one of the most popular players in Mariners history, along with Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson.

Each of those players eventually left Seattle, and it could be a public-relations black eye for the Mariners if Martinez leaves, too. He has spent his entire career with the Seattle organization.

Martinez isn't coming off a great season. He spent 11 weeks on the disabled list early in the year after rupturing a tendon behind his left knee. He had surgery April 13 but came back strong when he returned to the lineup.

In 97 games, he hit .277 with 15 home runs and 59 RBIs. Martinez struggled at the end of the season, hitting .177 (11-for-62) in 19 games after having a .301 batting average on Sept. 8.

Martinez has a career average of .317 with 273 homers and 1,100 RBI. He was signed by the Mariners as a free agent in 1982 and finally joined them for the first time for 13 games during the 1983 season.

Martinez was the American League batting champion in 1992 (.343) and 1995 (.356). He has hit above .300 10 times in 13 full seasons in Seattle, and he's a six-time All-Star.

He ranks first on the team in games played (1,769), hits (1,973), at-bats (6,230), doubles (466), walks (1,133) and runs scored (1,102).

Martinez began his career as a third baseman, but the Mariners converted him into their designated hitter in 1995. He was selected as the AL's DH of the Year in 1995, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001.