Putting his family and career first. I would say that Felix has a very good head on his shoulders for someone so young. I am thrilled that he appears on the verge a staying a Mariner for a long time into the future

However he's right in putting family first and his countrymen should understand that. I'm just happy he's going to represent Seattle for another seven years.

Because they would have struggled to make it on his current salary of beans? This was him making the priority an extension for the maximum amount possible, make no mistake about it. I'm not faulting him for that, especially since so many other players are passing it up, and pitchers run a greater risk of injury. By the way, the point of this article is that a deal hasn't been reached, so there's no guarantee he'll be a Mariner for the next seven years -yet.

Hmmmmm:

"You want to pay me $25 million a year for 7 years?"

"Yes, King, that is the offer."

"That would make me the highest paid pitcher in the MLB, right?"

"You are correct!"

"Even more than Greinke?"

"Yes, King, even more than Zack."

"Even more than CC?"

"Yes, even more than CC."

"It sounds good, but I am just not sure. Can I talk it over with my wife first? I mean, that is only about a $5 million dollar raise over my current yearly salary. I just have to make sure we will be able to make ends meet on such a paltry increase."

"By all means talk it over with Sandra and the kids and get back to us."

"Thanks guys. Oh, just one more question: Is there any room for negotiation in that figure? And what about King's Court? Are we going to continue it this season? How 'bout the pre-season ads? Am I going to star in those for the duration of my contract? How about another bobble head? Also, are you going to officially retire my jersey when I am done here? Can I get my own private jet? Can I get some shares in Nintendo, yearly? Do I have to travel with the team on my off days? Also, can we talk to Mr. Yamauchi about making me the next Mario Brother? Oh, and one more thing.........."

Press release:

"We are in negotiations with Felix and things are going well. There are a......... few...... details...... that have to be worked out, but we have covered 70% of the road...."

;~}

and maybe get $30 million a year from the Yankees or Red Sox. If he wants to iron out a few things and stick around, I got no complaints.

He doesn't have 10 & 5 rights yet, so he'd certainly be traded before his contract expires if an extension couldn't be reached before them. The Yankees are making it clear that they intend to cut payroll and the Red Sox appear to be a little cautious as well, so there may not be a lot of teams willing to dish out that kinda dough. I'd be surprised if any pitcher saw 30 million a year anytime soon. Kershaw will likely see something similar to Hernandez. Worth noting the rumored 7/175 would have made him the highest paid pitcher in history, so it's not like the Mariners would be getting off cheap, or even attempting to do so.

I agree he doesn't have the 10/5 rights yet. I was just referring to the end of his current contract when saying he could walk and end up getting $30 mil. Without signing this extension, the current contract will end regardless if he were to remain here to play it out or get traded before then. If he chose not to sign an extension and chose free agency he very well could get the $30 mil a year. The M's aren't exactly getting him on the cheap but Felix might still be giving them a slight discount based on the top end of his market value according to some.

I understood your point, I just don't think the Mariners would let him walk without getting something in return, and I don't think he'd make 30 million a year. Keep in mind, pitchers are a higher risk for injury, and CC Sabathia is the highest paid pitcher, currently making 23 a year on a 8/182 deal. Alex Rodriguez is the highest paid player with an average of 27.5 million a year.

Just a slight correction...

According to my figures, CC after his extension is averaging $23.25 mil ($24.4 mil/y since the extension) on an 8 year $186 mil contract. Greinke is averaging $24.5 mil on his 6 year $147 mil contract. If the contract in the news for Felix is accurate, the King would be averaging $25 mil on a 7 year $175 mil contract.

As it stands right now, Greinke is the highest paid pitcher in terms of yearly salary. That "may" change if Felix signs this rumored contract which I was just told earlier today that it may not be a new contract, but an extension with undisclosed terms as of yet...

Who knows? I just want the guy signed as a Mariner, but as always, NOT at any cost...

Not sure if you had seen it before it disappeared, but I wanted to thank you for catching the Greinke signing. I had spaced it! He is the highest paid pitcher currently. But Sabathia's deal is 8/182 as I had stated, with a vesting option for another year. The point remains the same, in that the rumored extension would make Felix the highest paid pitcher, and well under 30 million a year.

Sabathia's original deal was 7/161. His extension was 1 year 25 (plus vesting and possible buyout). 161 + 25 = 186. Not sure where you are getting 182, but I don't think it is accurate...

And I understood yours as well. I never implied the M's wouldn't trade him under that scenario. As a matter of fact it would be an absolute necessity to trade him. When I said, "he could walk" I was just referring to him choosing free agency, that was all. Whether he were to walk to free agency from the M's or from the team the M's were to trade him to under the scenario doesn't matter in the context of what I was trying to say. But ya I agree, most definitely the M's would have to trade him if he doesn't sign an extension. As for the comment you made earlier about the Yankees, I also agree with that as well. When talking about players' market value it is often the Yankees and their exhorbitant spending that sets those values and if they aren't gonna be there to offer Felix $30 mil a year, then who would? But in those cases in the past there are a handful of teams that seem ready to step in and fill the void, teams like the Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Red Sox, even the Rangers. And if I'm not mistaken Greinke is actually the highest paid now, not CC at around 24.5 and up to 26.5 with incentives. Felix is perceived as a safer risk than Greinke because of his age, consistency and durability issues.

I noticed after I posted that you already had Greinke's numbers in your post, which seem to be accurate.

Meant to say age consistency and durability history, not issues. Felix has no issues in those areas which was the point I was trying to make but used the wrong word.

...and faithfully so, that Felix is not only signing "for life," but that the offense is getting better around him, in his eyes/ojos. He wants to see what any fan wants to see in improving run support and a growing hitting machine. We, as well as he, will find out soon. A long-term contract of any significant $$$ is an enormous leap of faith.