SEATTLE — Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners are working on a $175 million, seven-year contract that would make him the highest-paid pitcher in Major League Baseball, according to a person with knowledge of the deal's details. The person spoke to the Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the agreement has not been completed. Seattle would add $134.5 million of guaranteed money over five years to the contract of the 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner, whose current agreement calls for him to receive $40.5 million over the next two seasons. Hernandez's total dollars would top CC Sabathia's original $161 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees and his $25 million average would surpass Zack Greinke's $24.5 million under his new contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and tie him for the second-highest in MLB with Josh Hamilton and Ryan Howard behind Alex Rodriguez ($27.5 million). Hernandez's new money would average $26.9 million over five years. Hernandez agreed to a $78 million, five-year contract in January 2010 and has earned an additional $2.5 million in escalators and $300,000 in bonuses. Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said he could not comment when reached Thursday, and Hernandez's representatives didn't immediately return messages. Hernandez, who will turn 27 on April 8, is 98-76 with a 3.22 ERA in eight seasons with the Mariners. Known as “King Felix,” he became the first Seattle pitcher to throw a perfect game in a 1-0 win over Tampa Bay last August. His fiery enthusiasm on the mound and his willingness to sign a long-term deal in 2010 have endeared him to fans of the Mariners, who have gone more than a decade without making the playoffs. — AP
