Arlington (Sports Network) - Cliff Lee, arguably the most highly-sought after free agent in the class of 2010-11, has declined the Texas Rangers' offer of salary arbitration.

If Lee were to sign with another club, the Rangers would receive at least a first-round draft choice and a supplemental first-round selection in the June, 2011 First Year Player Draft.

Lee had until midnight (et) to make his decision.

The 32-year-old southpaw went 12-9 with a 3.18 earned run average in 28 combined starts for the Mariners and Rangers during the 2010 regular season.

He then won both of his starts over Tampa Bay, including the decisive Game 5, in the Division Series and blanked New York over eight frames to win his lone turn in the American League Championship Series.

However, he lost Games 1 and 5 to Tim Lincecum and the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

Lee has a career mark of 102-61 with a 3.85 ERA in nine big league seasons with Cleveland, Philadelphia, Seattle and Texas.

Reliever Frank Francisco did accept the club's offer of arbitration and will remain with the Rangers through at least 2011.

The hard-throwing right-hander was 6-4 with a 3.76 ERA and a pair of saves for Texas in 56 appearances last season. However, he did not pitch after August 27 due to a right latissimus dorci muscle strain.

He is 17-15 with 32 saves and a 3.75 ERA in 277 relief outings with the Rangers since 2004.