FOX Sports baseball columnist Ken Rosenthal, citing major league sources, reports that the Seattle Mariners are talking with star pitcher Felix Hernandez about a contract extension. Rosenthal says no deal is imminent, but that the Mariners are weighing making Hernandez a four-year, $100 million offer.
The Mariners have not commented publicly about a possible extension and even Rosenthal reports that it is not known if the Mariners have actually made Hernandez an offer.
A four-year, $100 million extension tacked on to Hernandez’s current deal would effectively mean the Mariners would pay the pitcher $139.5 million over the next six seasons.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recently signed free agent Zach Greinke to a six-year, $147 million extension.
Hernandez, who turns 27 April 8, is two years away from free agency and has often expressed a desire to remain with the Mariners.
Hernandez, who signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2002, has pitched for the club for eight seasons and has a record of 98-76, 3.22 ERA. He is a three-time All-Star, won the 2010 American League Cy Young Award and threw a perfect game last Aug. 15 against Tampa Bay at Safeco Field.
The Mariners have only had two winning seasons since Hernandez joined the club and have posted six last-place finishes in his eight seasons.
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