Felix Hernandez reportedly seeking a six-year extension from Mariners
Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez has two years and $39.5 million left on his contract. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
The four-year, $100-million offer to ace Felix Hernandez that the Seattle Mariners are reportedly considering would be far from enough, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.
The 26-year-old righty is seeking a six-year extension to the two years and $39.5 million he has remaining on his contract, Heyman is reporting. Though the Mariners have attempted to open contract talks, they have gained "no traction" in the exchange of offers.
Hernandez has stated publicly that he hopes to stay in Seattle for his entire career, but reportedly wants to sign a mega-deal similar to the $144- and $147-million deals recently signed by Phillies lefty Cole Hamels and Dodgers righty Zack Greinke, respectively.
Though technically the $25 million annual salary on the reported potential extension would be the highest ever on a per-year basis (for those four years, anyway), Hernandez surely knows that if he waits until free agency he could become baseball's best-paid pitcher, depending on what happens with Verlander and Kershaw.
...
Verlander, who also has two years left before free agency, is three years older than Hernandez at 29, and while Kershaw is two years younger at 24, Kershaw has three years to go before free agency. Recent reports have suggested that neither Verlander nor Kershaw is in active contract dialogue with the Tigers or Dodgers, respectively.