SEATTLE -- The Mariners declined a $12 million option on Denard Span's contract for 2019 on Tuesday, meaning the veteran outfielder becomes the eighth Seattle player to hit free agency this week.
The Mariners paid a $4 million buyout rather than bring Span back for another year, though they could now be interested in re-signing the 34-year-old at a lower price on the open market.
Span performed well after being acquired by trade from the Rays along with reliever Alex Colome in exchange for Minor Leaguers Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero on May 25, posting a .272/.329/.435 line with seven home runs and 30 RBIs in 328 plate appearances over 94 games.
Combined with 43 games with Tampa Bay, Span had a line of .261/.341/.419 with 11 homers and 58 RBIs in 137 games for the season.

The 11-year veteran signed a three-year, $31 million deal with the Giants in 2016 that included the $12 million mutual option for 2019, but the Mariners chose not to exercise that option. The Giants traded Span to Tampa Bay last December as part of a four-player package for Evan Longoria and cash.
"He did a wonderful job for us, and more important, was one of the best people I've come across in the game," general manager Jerry Dipoto said shortly after the season ended. "He's so prepared, so consistent in what he does, and he really made our lineup work.
"Some of the guys that we have hitting free agency, Denard Span, Nelson Cruz, the quality of the people exceeds the quality of the player, and they're really good players."
• Mariners' free agents
Span worked with Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia in left field after being acquired in March and wound up getting much of the playing time down the stretch as, even as a left-handed hitter, he batted .302 against southpaw pitchers.
Span hit .311/.405/.553 in 103 at-bats with runners in scoring position and .407 (11-for-27) off the bench, including 6-for-18 with five walks as a pinch-hitter.
Teams have until Friday at 2 p.m. PT to negotiate with their own free agents, after which they're able to sign with any team.