New York Yankees: Felix Hernandez’s Extension Ends All Future Deal with Bombers
February 7, 2013 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
In my three and a half years on this website, we’ve discussed a lot of names with the Yankees.
The one that always seemed to be brought up most was Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners.
Every offseason, someone would come up with a trade proposal for King Felix.
And every trade deadline, we would all make our dream scenario deal that involved the Mariners ace.
I’ll be the first one to admit; I’ve suggested my trade ideas for Hernandez in the past.
Hernandez was set to become a free agent after the 2014, but the Mariners took care of that on Thursday, as they agreed on a contract extension with the 26-year-old for seven years and $175 million, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
The contract makes Hernandez the highest paid pitcher in the entire sport now, and in all reality, it ends any speculation of whether or not the Yankees could ever get him in the future.
King Felix was a potential name that the Yankees could have looked to sign after the 2014 season, when the luxury tax bracket was reset and the team had gotten their payroll to or below the $189 million mark.
Or, if the Mariners were falling out of contention in 2014 and felt that they couldn’t afford Hernandez’s salary, the Yankees could have been one of the teams who could offer a deal for Seattle, then turn around and sign him to an extension.
The hopes for Yankee fans envisioning King Felix pitching in the Bronx officially ended on Thursday, because it shows that Seattle is committed to their star pitcher and want to build their franchise around him.
Now, if the Yankees really want to make a splash after 2014, they could always hope the Detroit Tigers don’t lock up Justin Verlander to an extension, or the same with the Los Angeles Dodgers with Clayton Kershaw.
That’s a serious long shot though, because a lot can happen between now and the end of the 2014 season where both aces get extensions before they hit the market.
But as far as King Felix goes, the dream Yankee fans once had for him is over and done with,
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