Mariners Blog

Geoff Baker covers the Mariners for The Seattle Times. He provides daily coverage of the team throughout spring training, and during the season.

January 19, 2010 at 9:28 AM

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Felix Hernandez's agent flies in tomorrow: five-year deal might take another 48 hours

Posted by Geoff Baker

Just got off the phone with Wil Polidor, one of the agents for Felix Hernandez. He has a flight from Venezuela to Miami tonight, then another to Seattle tomorrow. He hopes to have this wrapped up by Friday.

Polidor told me this will be a five-year deal, no option years attached. There are reports out today that it's for $78 million, but Polidor would not confirm that. The Mariners had wanted a four-year deal, Hernandez six years, so the two sides met in the middle with five. The way this shakes out, Hernandez will still be only 28 when he's up for free agency again.

"It isn't a done deal until everything is signed and he passes a physical,'' Polidor told me. "Until then, people can write that it's for $80 million or $78 million but it isn't done until it's finished. We haven't finished talking with them yet.''

Still, it would appear the broad strokes are complete, or Polidor wouldn't be flying out. Polidor has been the point man on these talks along with Scott Pucino and Jose Mijares. They all work for agent Alan Nero.

Hernandez is still in Venezuela and would also have to fly in and take a physical. That likely would not get done until Thursday at the earliest, unless the pitcher leaves later today.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: On Friday, I joked that newest Mariners first base hopeful Tommy Everidge had "taken" Mike Carp's number. Turns out Carp had actually traded down to No. 20 right before Everidge arrived, leaving the No. 59 free and clear. I know there are a lot of sensistive folks out there, so I just wantred to assure you that jobs are not won and lost depending on jersey numbers. That stuff happens on the field. Was only trying to be funny.

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Felix Hernandez's agent flies in tomorrow: five-year deal might take another 48 hours

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