Mariners reportedly making King Felix richest pitcher in baseball history

Published 12:56 pm Thursday, February 7, 2013

Peninsula Daily News news sources

USA Today newspaper is reporting that Seattle Mariners star pitcher Felix Hernandez has agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.

The newspaper cited a person familiar with the contract details. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the contract is not yet official.

Hernandez was scheduled to earn $19.5 million in 2013 and $20 million in ’14.

Instead, his new contract — expected to be finished and announced before pitchers and catchers report for spring training later this month — will take effect this season and pay him a record average annual value of $25 million through 2019.

Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik and Alan Nero, an agent at Octagon Sports, which represents Hernandez, declined comment.