Felix Hernandez Reportedly Agrees to $175 Million Contract with Seattle Mariners
The King will be back in the building for the rest of the decade! Hopefully. According to the Seattle Mariners, the deal is not complete, but USA TODAY Sports is reporting that the Seattle Mariners and Felix Hernandez have agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract, making him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.
If this contract does in fact happen, which I would be shocked if it didn't, it would boost Felix's pay for each of the 2013 and 2014 seasons by nearly $5 million and will continue to earn him a record average of $25 million each season through 2019. It also would lock him into a no trade clause once 2015 hits.
Prior to Hernandez's possible deal, New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia inked a seven-year deal worth $161 million before the 2010 season, making him the highest paid pitcher ever. Hernandez's average annual value of $25 million would be more than Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke's who signed a six-year, $147 million deal in December.
The Mariners have had one winning season since Felix came to the team in 2005, but the pitching staff hasn't been the teams downfall over the past few seasons. Locking up Felix is an absolute must. Coming off one of the best seasons of his young career, highlighted by his first No Hitter/Perfect Game, Felix has quickly become a fan favorite and a player to build a franchise around.
Seattle Mariners pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday in Peoria, AZ. The team will open the 2013 regular season April 1 in Oakland against the Athletics and will have their home opener in Seattle on April 8 against the Houston Astros, who will be making their debut in the American League West this season.