The Mariners' career saves leader, who turns 36 on Feb. 22, would walk away from up to $9.5 million by not playing for Seattle next season.

"He is not (coming back)," Sasaki's agent Tony Attanasio told KOMO 4 News' Eric Johnson. "Often times in life, people have choices to make. And Kaz made a choice in his instance where he was looking at a contract salary in excess of $9 million when you count everything, or try to handle his personal family situation. He chose the latter.

"He has two children and a wife that need attending to in Japan and he could not come here (to the U.S.) in good conscious knowing that they were back there with some difficulties that are personal in nature and private in all respects."

Attanasio said Sasaki may pitch in Japan next season but "he will not pitch again in the United States."

Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said Sasaki's intentions became clear in the last four to five days. He refused to say what the next step will be.

"I'm not going to get into it," Bavasi said. "There's just too many variables that I'm not certain about. It's going to involve the agent, the player, the club, MLB, you name it."

He said the team would try to "accommodate" the request but cautioned that as of right now the contract remained in effect.

"He is reserved to us, just like everyone else on the 40-man roster," Bavasi said. "As of today, he will report to camp with pitchers and catchers. On the other hand, we know his position and we will try to accommodate him."

Sasaki went 1-2 with 10 saves in 14 opportunities and a 4.05 ERA in 2003, missing much of the season with two trips to the disabled list.

He broke two ribs, reportedly in a fall while carrying his suitcases up a flight of stairs at home. Relegated to the disabled list, he lost his job as the team's closer to Shigetoshi Hasegawa.

The Mariners signed Eddie Guardado, who saved 41 games for Minnesota last year, in the offseason.

Sasaki was the highest-paid player on the Mariners last season at $8 million, which he was due to make again in 2004. He was the AL's rookie of the year in 2000, when he had 37 saves.

The team holds an option for 2005.

Sasaki joined the Mariners after 10 seasons with Yokohama in Japan. He was named to the AL All-Star team in 2001, when he set a Mariners record with 45 saves.

His 129 saves over the last four seasons are a team record.

With Sasaki sidelined last year, Hasegawa became the star of Seattle's bullpen. He converted 16 of 17 save opportunities and finished with a 1.48 ERA that was a team record for a reliever.

When Hasegawa signed a two-year, $6.3 million contract last month, manager Bob Melvin said he was committed to making Sasaki the closer again and using Hasegawa wherever he was needed.