Mariners

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that Felix Hernandez is in no hurry to work out a contract extension with the Mariners.

The Mariners are reportedly interested in adding four years onto the two remaining on Hernandez’ current deal, but King Felix is likely to be seeking an additional six years. He’s expressed a strong desire to remain a Mariner, but already among the game’s elite at 26-years-old, it’ll take a record contract for a pitcher to lock him up long term.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mariners continue to talk to Felix Hernandez about a contract extension and are “at least weighing” a four-year, $100 million offer.

It’s not known whether the Mariners have actually made such an offer, as one source described the two sides as “dancing” but not deeply engaged. Hernandez is under contract for two more years for a total of $39.5 million, so if the reported figure is accurate, the total outlay would be $139.5 million over six seasons. This would be in the neighborhood of recent contracts given to Zack Greinke ($147 million) and Cole Hamels ($144 million), so such an offer would serve as a solid starting point in negotiations.