Felix Hernandez will get his money, but it won't be Mo' Money, Mo' Problems for the Seattle Mariners as they lock up one of the best pitchers in the majors. The Mariners and Hernandez agreed to a seven-year deal worth $175 million.
The eight-year veteran received an extension that ensures he remains a Mariner until 2019. Already with two years and almost $40 million remaining in his former contract, the Mariners went ahead and added more years and more money to the right-hander from Venezuela.
Hernandez was under contract after signing a five-year deal worth $78 back in 2010. After pitching his way to a Cy Young Award that same year and winning 40 games in the last three seasons, the Mariners thought it was best to just keep their ace.
The New York Yankees were heavily rumored to having interests in the 26-year-old who made his MLB debut back in 2005 at the age of 19. It seems like he's been pitching forever. By the time his new contract concludes, Hernandez will be 32 years old, which is still pretty young for pitchers of today.
Hernandez has tallied 98 wins in these eight years and who knows how many victories he would have recorded had he played for a contender. He has amassed a 3.22 career ERA and a .563 winning percentage in his time with the Mariners.
In 2009, Hernandez won 19 games and posted a 2.49 ERA. That year, he finished second behind Zack Greinke for the Cy Young Award. In 2010, when he won the award, Hernandez finished 13-12 with a 2.27 ERA and still got the Cy Young for being the most dominant pitcher in the game.
The Mariners are setting themselves up with great young stars up and down their lineup. They made a couple of deals that should power their offense up in 2013 after acquiring Kendrys Morales and Michael Morse during the offseason. This should make their pitching happy, especially Hernandez who can now get run support this upcoming season.
The Mariners are projected to finish in fourth place ahead of the Houston Astros in the A.L. West. Watch out though, the Texas Rangers are coming into 2013 with a different squad and they look a little old, so third place isn't out of the question.
Hernandez is coming off a season where he reached baseball immortality by pitching the 23rd perfect game in the history of the game.
