The Seattle Mariners are nearing a seven-year, $175 million deal with ace right-handed pitcher Felix Hernandez. The deal had originally been reported as official by USA Today but a source claims that it's not yet official.
If Hernandez is issued a $175 million contract, he will become the highest-paid pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball. The current record for largest contract is $161 million by New York Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who will earn an average of $23 million over his seven-year deal.
Hernandez is already scheduled to earn $19.5 million in 2013 and $20 million in 2014, the final two years of a five-year, $78 million deal he signed before the 2010 season. His new contract would replace the final two years of his contract, lasting through 2019. At that point, Hernandez will be 33 years old.
During his eight seasons in the major leagues, Hernandez has posted a 98-76 record with a 3.22 earned run average. He's pitched more than 190 innings for seven straight years, during which he's been selected to three All-Star teams.
In 2010, Hernandez won the American League Cy Young award, winning 13 of 25 decisions with a 2.27 earned run average. Last season, Hernandez threw the 23rd perfect game in major league history (and the third last year).
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