Burien Toyota Hopes Mariners, Felix Hernandez Reach Deal

News came out a couple days ago that Mariner’s pitcher Felix Hernandez would become the highest paid pitchers in Major League Baseball with the contract that he had signed (or would very soon sign) paying him $175 million for seven years. Mariners fans, including us at Burien Toyota, were excited to have that commitment from Felix no matter the cost!

However, reports yesterday from both the Felix camp and the Mariner’s camp stated that, in fact, no deal had been reached yet, although both parties would like to continue working together.

According to both ESPN (an article that is also featured on the official Mariner’s website) and the Seattle PI, a deal has not been made and it seems to be a “moving target.”

"We still have not reached an agreement, but we are moving forward," Wilfredo Polidor of the Octagon agency that represents Hernandez told ESPNdeportes.com. "At this moment, we have covered 70 percent of the road."

While there are other ‘reports’ from anonymous sources close to contract details (including one that said “the deal is for five years and $135.5 million”, we won’t waste too much time on that because, as we found out soon after the $175 million ‘deal’ was reported, nothing is concrete until the ink is dry.

“As Mariners fans, we want Felix to stay with the Mariners,” said Ted Klarich, general sales manager of Burien Toyota. “Pay him $135 million over five years, pay him $175 million over seven years. Whatever it takes. Mariners fans need something to believe in and we believe in Felix. I sure hope he stays because the future of the club could be a lot brighter with him continuing to stick with us.”

As a result of the incomplete deal, Felix has opted out of pitching for his home country of Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Participating in the Classic would have caused him to miss three weeks of spring training with the Mariners and that’s a good chunk of time when in negotiations for a good chunk of change.

According to ESPN, Hernandez called Venezuela manager Luis Sojo with "a lot of pain in his heart" to tell him he wouldn't be pitching for Venezuela in the Classic.

"Even though it's not easy to lose your ace before starting an event, Sojo understands that at this moment Felix is thinking about his future and his family's future," Polidor said.

While some of his countrymen may be upset Felix isn’t pitching in the Classic, here in Seattle, we think that’s a good sign he is serious about wanting to reach a deal with the Mariners.

“Oh, I definitely think that’s a good thing,” Klarich said. “You wouldn’t get up and leave the table in the middle of a negotiation that you really want to work, so I think it’s good that Felix is skipping the Classic to try to make a deal with the Mariners. I really hope they reach a deal that’s good for everyone: good for Felix, good for the club, and good for the fans.”