Felix Hernandez and the Mariners agree to a 5-year deal - Jon Heyman - SI.com
Mariners star pitcher Felix Hernandez has agreed to a five-year, $78 million contract extension with the Mariners, sources say.
The agreement covers two arbitration years and three years of free agency. He had been due to be a free agent after the 2011 season.
Optimism for a deal has heated up in recent days; on Monday, SI.com reported the pitcher and team were close on terms.
Hernandez originally requested a six-year deal for $100 million while the Mariners were offering about $45 million for four years at the start, but talks proceeded well from there.
The agreement allows the Mariners to avoid the arbitration process, figures for which are released on Tuesday.