Report: Hernandez close to lucrative deal

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SEATTLE, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Former Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez has agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract with the Seattle Mariners, USA Today reported Thursday.

The report said the deal should be announced prior to the start of spring training, although baseball's official website said a source within the Seattle organization indicated there were no plans to make such an announcement.

If such a contract is signed, Hernandez would become the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history. He has two years remaining on his current contract.

Hernandez went 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA last season and struck out 223 batters. His season was capped by a perfect game against Tampa Bay.

He has spent his entire eight-year career with Seattle and has traditionally been a victim of sparse run support. Hernandez won the Cy Young Award in 2010 with only a 13-12 record. He posted a 2.27 ERA that year.

In his 238 career starts he has recorded a 98-76 record. He will turn 27 in April.