INDIANAPOLIS � As expected, Adrian Beltre has declined salary arbitration from the Seattle Mariners.

The team announced the development late Monday night at the end of the first day of baseball�s annual winter meetings. It means that if Beltre, a free agent and two-time Gold Glove third baseman, signs the multiyear contract from another team that he�s seeking, Seattle will get a compensatory round draft choice in June.
It also justifies the agreement the Mariners have with free agent third baseman Chone Figgins on a $36 million, four-year contract, pending Figgins� physical.
That deal could be worth $45 million for five years through a vesting option for 2014. The agreement may be formally announced Tuesday.