BY CLAYTON RICHER – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Felix Hernandez will no longer be “Sleepless in Seattle” as he is poised to become the highest paid pitcher in major league history. Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners are on the cusp of signing a five-year extension worth a reported $135.5 million over and above his two remaining years at $39.5 million. The revised deal will see King Felix earn $175 million over the next seven seasons.
The Seattle Mariners not only gave their fans a vote of confidence by locking up one of the game’s best young talents but also denied the Evil Empire from acquiring or signing King Felix. Hernandez boasts a career 98-76 record with a 3.22 ERA, 8.3 SO/9 and 31.5 WAR in eight seasons with the Mariners.
The New York Yankees had made it well known that Hernandez was on their radar and was the prominent front of the rotation arm they so desired. The Yankees attempted to acquire Hernandez early in 2012 but instead settled for promising youngster Michael Pineda when the Mariners wouldn’t take the bait.
The signing will keep King Felix perched on his throne in the West far away from the Blue Jays and the AL East. The signing and recent moves are a change in times for the Mariners who appear committed to push up the ranks in a stacked AL West.
The Mariners are also rumoured to have inked Joe Saunders which would give them a formidable starting three of Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma and Saunders. The signing of Saunders will replace the departed Jason Vargas who was dealt the Angels in exchange for slugger Kendry Morales earlier this offseason.
If the contract wasn’t enough to put a bounce in the step of the King, the Mariners went out and resigned his older brother Moises Hernandez to a minor league contract.
The Mariners will get to sing with the King for seven more seasons while it was just reported Brian Cashman and company just checked into the Heartbreak Hotel.
“Long Live The King”
Clayton Richer is a baseball writer for Baseball Hot Corner, his interviews and blogs can be found daily at www.baseballhotcorner.com as well you can also follow him on twitter MLBHotCorner
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