LAS VEGAS -- Second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, as promised, officially declined the Royals' offer of salary arbitration on Sunday night.

Royals officials received notification at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino, where they are preparing for the Winter Meetings, which begin on Monday.

Grudzielanek told MLB.com last Monday, after the Royals extended the offer, that he was "95 percent, 98 percent sure" that he'd decline. His action just before Sunday's midnight ET deadline confirmed that decision.

If Grudzielanek signs with another club, the Royals will receive as compensation a "sandwich round" pick between the first and second rounds of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. Grudzielanek was classified as a Type B free agent, which dictates that method of compensation for losing him.

Now 38, he wants to sign with a club that appears to have a chance to contend more quickly than the Royals.

"It's probably the best thing for my career to try to see what's out there and try to see what happens as a free agent, to see what kinds of teams might have interest in me," Grudzielanek said.

"If I was 30 or 29 and had another five or seven years, I'd give it another couple of years and push for it. There's no question they're doing the right thing there and moving along. They're getting better and better each year. It was fun. They treated me awesome, the fans were great, I enjoyed my time there -- I really did."

Grudzielanek played three years for the Royals with an aggregate average of .300, a Gold Glove in 2006 and the Royals Player of the Year Award in 2007. Last season he was plagued by injuries, but he batted .299 and recorded his 2,000th career hit.

Although he missed the last two months of the season because of a badly sprained ankle, he said that he's healed and feels ready for a strong return.

"I'm 38 years old, and I've maybe got two good ones left in me," he said. "Maybe I could play three, maybe four. I feel good enough to do that."

Grudzielanek made $4.5 million last season and, had he accepted arbitration, he likely would have earned more in 2009. Now he faces the uncertainty of the open market.

He has a lot on his resume as selling points. He's played 14 years in the Majors, with a solid .290 average and the reputation of being one of the game's toughest and smoothest on the double play. He's been an All-Star, and seen postseason action with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.

With the Royals, he became a leader in the clubhouse as well as on the field, often giving guidance to younger players. He also showed toughness, returning quickly after two knee surgeries in 2007 and shrugging off back problems last spring.