PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Felix Hernandez and Seattle reached agreement Tuesday on a contract that is expected to make the Mariners ace the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.
"I think it's a great thing for the Seattle Mariners," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "It's a great thing for Felix Hernandez, and looking forward to this guy being here for a very long time, obviously."
Hernandez's deal is expected to be for $175 million over seven years. Terms of the contract were not released. Hernandez and Zduriencik will hold a news conference this afternoon in Seattle where Hernandez is expected to sign the contract.
The contract will encompass the final two years of his current deal scheduled to pay Hernandez $40.5 million in 2013 and 2014. He'll get $134.5 million in the other five years.
Hernandez, who will turn 27 on April 8, is 98-76 with a 3.22 ERA in eight seasons with the Mariners.