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Felix Signs!
Dave · January 19, 2010 at 7:05 am · Filed Under Mariners
It’s party time. Francisco Blavia reports that the deal is for 5 years, $78 million.
Happy Felix Half Decade.
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Comments
86 Responses to “Felix Signs!”
Bad Moon on
January 19th, 2010 7:11 am
Holy cats! This can’t be right, can it? That’s way too fantastic a deal. Jack Z really does have the Power to Cloud Men’s Minds.
The 6 year rumors on the other thread got me a little too pumped, but I’ll more than take 5 more years of the King!
jordan on
January 19th, 2010 7:15 am
5 years and 80 Mil? Sounds like Felix gave us a little discount because he wanted to stay a Mariner! GREAT day!!!!!!!
Otto on
January 19th, 2010 7:24 am
Today is a day I raise my glass in a Toast to Dr.Z and the entire Mariner organization. And Thank you King Felix for giving us the discount you did.
Now I can hope for a Lee extension…
rsrobinson on
January 19th, 2010 7:32 am
Jack Z is full of win!
Arron on
January 19th, 2010 7:35 am
Fanfreakingtastic!!!!
Awesome, awesome news…it was the first thing I saw as I cleared my eyes and looked at the ticker on ESPN…
What a way to wake up!!!!
The Ancient Mariner on
January 19th, 2010 7:38 am
Well, score one for Matthew . . . I don’t think this is so cheap that Felix will resent it down the line, but I really didn’t think we’d get him for so little. Amazing.
hub on
January 19th, 2010 7:40 am
‘Safeco’, meet ‘Bald-Headed Statue’…
Swungonandbelted on
January 19th, 2010 7:43 am
I’m so fired up right now. Spring training’s right around the corner, and Jack Z….. you are amazing.
The Ancient Mariner on
January 19th, 2010 7:44 am
So when’s the first “Jack Z Buzz-Cut Night”?
Chris_From_Bothell on
January 19th, 2010 7:44 am
Jack Zduriencik will never have to buy a drink in this town.
Ninja In A Sweater Vest strikes again!
NorskNomad on
January 19th, 2010 7:47 am
Wow!!! A great signing when locking up premier players hasn’t really been our history (pre-Z, I know). Maybe this will convince the Z Man skeptics that the dude is the real deal. As optimistic as I tend to be, I never thought he would turn things around this quickly. This is awesome! I take it as a big sign that Z is also fully capable of helping true studs want to stay and play here. Full marks to Z and Wak for creating that atmosphere and culture.
Willmore2000 on
January 19th, 2010 7:48 am
We get to have 10 years of Felix Days!!!
Woooo.
PS: I was at his first start at Safeco, and was super-excited. The people around me had no idea who was pitching that day. I’m sure they have some idea now.
henryv on
January 19th, 2010 7:50 am
Jack Zduriencik will never have to buy a drink in this town.
At this point Jack should never have to buy his own house in this town.
Holy smokes. That’s a steal and a half and a half again.
Cancel work. Start up the music! Close the streets! It’s FELIX DAY in Seattle!
This is a bigger event than the acquisition of Cliff Lee and that’s saying something.
Outstanding job by Jack and the entire front office. You’ve certainly won over any remaining naysayers with this one.
smb on
January 19th, 2010 7:52 am
Let us not forget that we’re also sticking it to both the Sox and Yanks, where both fanbases included a not insignificant number of fans who were convinced Felix was headed their way via trade. I hated every intonation of that I heard over the last two years, and I’m glad it’s over!
I want to yell out in Larry David’s Steinbrenner voice “I smell a pennnnaaaannnt!”
I’ve already stuck it to the Yankee and Red Sox fans amongst my friends on Facebook. I know that the real pleasure ought to be from getting to watch Felix pitch for us, but for some reason that from cutting them out from getting Felix, after their arrogance in assuming that he would inevitably end up with them, is even better.
Arron on
January 19th, 2010 8:09 am
Well, he will be a free-agent again in 5 years, at age 28-29, so he MAY end up on the east coast, but who cares? He’s OURS for now, and The King will lead the Mariners to a WS title!!!
Good to be a fan right now…
Rboyle0628 on
January 19th, 2010 8:11 am
Very interesting realization I just had. On the last day of classes for me last semester I received the Christmas Gift that was Cliff Frickin’ Lee. On the first day of classes this semester I received an even better gift, King Felix for another 5. PERHAPS! On the last day of this semester, May 14, we shall be undefeated and leading the Angels by 10!
ALL HAIL Z!!!!!!
maqman on
January 19th, 2010 8:11 am
For the Z-Crew the difficult is made to seem easy and the impossible is harder but doable. Welcome to Mariner Nation!
iHam on
January 19th, 2010 8:12 am
Thank you, Mr. Z!
As the Little Ceaser’s ads used to say:
“PARTY-PARTY!”
xxtinynickxx on
January 19th, 2010 8:13 am
dear god that is awesome, Dr. Z be full awesomeness!
Each contract is just another brick in the Jack Z statue.
gwangung on
January 19th, 2010 8:16 am
Almost as awesome as the USS Mariner server staying up through all this…
Coolalvin206 on
January 19th, 2010 8:19 am
This has to be the best offseason by a Seattle sports GM in history… Z resigns Felix and Guti, trades for Lee, gets Figgins and gets rid of Silva!!
Go M’s!
Adam B. on
January 19th, 2010 8:25 am
Wow,
In my wildest dreams I could’ve seen 5/95M.
Jack Zduriencik, if nothing else, has been a constant source of pleasant news.
I honestly don’t know what to do with myself as a Mariner fan.
The only way I can temper my enthusiasm is to remind myself that the Mariners offense is still just average, but that’s a petty complaint and I’m stocking up on my bronze-statue polish as well.
So far this off-season almost every single one of my “pie in the sky” wishes has come to fruition. We obtained a legitimate “Number 2″ pitcher (and how), Gutierrez was signed long term, and now Felix is a Mariner long enough so that if I were to have a child in the next 9-months, I’d be able to instill an appreciation for Venezualan pitching in said theoretical child before the King hits free-agency again.
I can’t wait for Casey Kotchman to hit .290/.350/.450.
gwangung on
January 19th, 2010 8:31 am
Geez, now I can’t even dismiss re-signing Lee as a fantasy
andrewjsnider on
January 19th, 2010 8:36 am
Thank you Felix! Thank you Z! Thank you entire front office! You have made all but one of my wildest dreams come true.
ON TO THE WORLD SERIES!
DJZIELIE on
January 19th, 2010 8:39 am
Okay, i love this and i love felix, but given the huge deal, will they still have the funds to resign Lee???? Are they even planing on keeping him aroud after this year????
Pants-Off-Dance-Off, indeed! Z does it again!! Felix stays!!!
Joe C on
January 19th, 2010 8:44 am
Now, I think this offseason is an unqualified success. I can’t ask for anything else from Zduriencik.
argh on
January 19th, 2010 8:51 am
I wish John McPhee or a writer of similar caliber were installed in a corner of the front office to write the story of Zduriencik’s management turn around of this club. The difference between where we are now and where we were 15 months ago is way beyond the difference between night and day. There’s a story begging to be told here about baseball and management style.
Rboyle0628 on
January 19th, 2010 8:52 am
Joe C, if he wants to sign me to a 5 year 78 million dollar contract… that’s the only other thing I think I could ask for. And if he pulls that off I’m gonna start a new religion and call it Z-ism and pressure all you fine M’s followers into supporting it!!
I would guess there are some incentives as well, such as a bonus for winning the Cy Young or being selected to the All Star team.
dsmiley on
January 19th, 2010 8:54 am
Thank you thank you thank you thank you Jack Zduriencik! I love this deal so freaking much!
I’m blissfully happy right now!
beef on
January 19th, 2010 9:01 am
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.
I’m glad to see they were able to negotiate and the FO didn;t throw the farm at him at the initial offer.
Swungonandbelted on
January 19th, 2010 9:02 am
Geez, now I can’t even dismiss re-signing Lee as a fantasy
+1
pants are off, and doing the happy dance to the M’s techno music….
Wonder if Felix was watching the last game of the year on Mariner Monday last night when he agreed to this deal.
diderot on
January 19th, 2010 9:08 am
Z = Santa Claus.
Leroy Stanton on
January 19th, 2010 9:11 am
This has to be the best offseason by a Seattle sports GM in history… Z resigns Felix and Guti, trades for Lee, gets Figgins and gets rid of Silva!!
Ain’t that the truth!
nickwest1976 on
January 19th, 2010 9:21 am
To quote Bill Murray from Stripes…
“Platoon, it’s party time!”
ewdewald on
January 19th, 2010 9:25 am
Whew! Now I can don my HERNANDEZ Mariners jersey forever in glory, not bitterness. Seriously. I’m talking never-nude.
CCW on
January 19th, 2010 9:27 am
Thanks, Jack, but also thanks Felix, for realizing that $78M is plenty of money and security is worth a lot. I wish I could find the comment thread from a few months ago where bunches of people were talking about how there’s no way Felix would do something like this (and ripping me for suggesting he might). For a pitcher, it makes sense to pull money off the table whenever you can, and when it’s $78M, there’s just no shame in it.
Pilot_mariner on
January 19th, 2010 9:33 am
How about the Mariners giving Z a contract extension. I think he’s earned it.
luisam911 on
January 19th, 2010 9:33 am
OH YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Can somebody write me a note to get me out of class?
fiddlepimp on
January 19th, 2010 9:37 am
I saw an improvement in Felix’s performance this last season. He had better control of his emotions on the mound. In years past if the umpire chumped him on a call or if the defense made a bonehead play I could see him get upset and it would snowball into a bad situation. I really think his maturity caught up with his stuff last year. The one concern I have with Felix is believe it or not the length of his pants. I have seen them get caught in his cleats running to field a bunt and am worried he might injure himself. A few times he rocked the knee high look last year and I hope he continues that. This signing is so huge for the Mariners and their new attitude, I can’t wait for the season to begin!
Paul B on
January 19th, 2010 9:39 am
During the winter meetings, I recall Felix’ agent saying that Felix was very happy in Seattle, and it sounded like he thought that both sides would come to an agreement with no problems. I was hoping that was true, and wasn’t just agent-speak. Looks like it was true.
Guess they couldn’t quite get it all done before they had to submit amounts for arbitration, but that was just a formality and a “just in case” scenario.
Alex on
January 19th, 2010 9:45 am
Interesting that he signs for the exact value that Matthew at LL had just calculated was ‘fair’ to both sides for 5 years.
ewdewald on
January 19th, 2010 9:46 am
Hernandez originally requested a six-year deal for $100 million while the Mariners were offering about $45 million for four years at the start, but talks proceeded well from there.
I hope this is not true of the M’s early position. 4 yrs at 45 mil. hardly buys out arbitration and is an insult. I believe in start lower than expectation in bargaining, but that could’ve been disastrous.
thr33niL on
January 19th, 2010 9:47 am
PS: I was at his first start at Safeco, and was super-excited. The people around me had no idea who was pitching that day. I’m sure they have some idea now.
I remember that like it was yesterday!
I made sure to get 2nd row on the 3rd base line for that start. You’re totally right in that nobody had a clue who he was. I couldn’t count the times I heard people around me asking “whos this guy pitching?”.
I had to hold myself back to not scream at them for being dunderheads.
Happy day!
Willmore2000 on
January 19th, 2010 9:49 am
Any thoughts on how this deal and Lowe’s 1.15 one year deal affect the remainder of our budget for this year?
Don’t get too worried about that initial offer. By all accounts both sides had never exchanged actual numbers, and the M’s made theirs as “here’s our starting point: the numbers, you get into free agency in four years, we still buy out the arb years…” and they went from there. And when you consider they’re buying the arb years, that 4/45 doesn’t look so insulting.
We had to know that the first person to put actual terms out would be extremely tentative: either the team’s starting number would be low or the other side’s starting years/$ would be staggeringly huge.
joser on
January 19th, 2010 10:00 am
In time, under estimate, job done. This is really the cherry on top of the sundae of unexpected delight that has been this offseason.
For the Z-Crew the difficult is made to seem easy and the impossible is harder but doable.
The improbable (Lee) they do right away. The impossible (Felix) takes a little longer.
Almost as awesome as the USS Mariner server staying up through all this…
True dat. Have there been some stealth upgrades?
So far this off-season almost every single one of my “pie in the sky†wishes has come to fruition. We obtained a legitimate “Number 2″ pitcher (and how), Gutierrez was signed long term, and now Felix is a Mariner long enough so that if I were to have a child in the next 9-months, I’d be able to instill an appreciation for Venezuelan pitching in said theoretical child before the King hits free-agency again.
And on top of that, you had a theoretical child! Congratulations! (Actually, considering there’s no such thing as a practical child, aren’t all children by definition theoretical?)
I’d stick around to heap yet more praise on the whole Front Office, but there’s this #34 jersey I’ve had my eye on…
Chavac on
January 19th, 2010 10:15 am
I give credit to Z for locking him up for 5 more without crippling the team, but I think the real props go to Felix on this one. He could have snubbed his nose and bid his time till landing a huge East coast contract. Instead, he takes less money and sticks with the PNW and his fans. Kudos to the King.
joser on
January 19th, 2010 10:20 am
Don’t get too worried about that initial offer.
Yeah, in negotiations it’s entirely about the context. If the atmosphere is congenial both sides can start with “insulting” numbers without either side getting insulted — it’s just business. Unless you’re actually in the room or are personally acquainted with the people involved and have an honest idea of how they feel about each other and the spirit in which they approached the deal, you really can’t judge it from random quotes that might escape the room.
Felix’ father apparently owns a trucking business (you want to talk about tough negotiations?), so I expect he taught him a thing or two about how this works. And Felix is by all accounts happy and comfortable with the Mariners and the direction the team is going. This is the only baseball family he’s ever known, and now it is well-led and going somewhere. That counts for a lot too.
Don’t forget Wil Polidor is also Franklin Gutierrez’ agent, so it was a busy and successful time for that side of the table too. (Interestingly, he was also a joint representative for Randy Johnson, so I have to assume that conversation did happen, at least in passing)
Good job by Jack Z and his team getting the deal done, but honestly, I don’t think it was a “steal”.
firova2 on
January 19th, 2010 11:02 am
A great day for the Mariners and their fans. Can the broadcasters go ahead and call him King now? I wonder whether this will have any impact on Cliff Lee. Makes sense that he would opt for free agency, but he can’t help but notice what is going on with first Gutierrez and now El Rey Hernandez signing long-term. He’ll certainly need to get comfortable in his new baseball home. Maybe Wakamatsu and Buhner should take him on a hunting/fishing trip so he’s not so tempted by some team closer to his home in Arkansas.
noproblempablo on
January 19th, 2010 11:03 am
How’s that Lackey deal looking now, Theo? Mwahahahahahahahahaha!
Mid80sRighty on
January 19th, 2010 11:11 am
Maybe Wakamatsu and Buhner should take him on a hunting/fishing trip so he’s not so tempted by some team closer to his home in Arkansas.
Shouldn’t be too difficult to show him the hunting/fishing is much better in Washington State.
Jack Zduriencik favors win/win deals in every move he makes. This is one.
henryv on
January 19th, 2010 11:16 am
So, does this finish the M’s spending off for this year?
Or is it possible that a Cliff Lee deal of 3 years and $55-60 million still possible? I know he probably doesn’t plan on staying here, but… Heck, we signed Felix and Franky, why not dream?
nepacific on
January 19th, 2010 11:21 am
Maybe now that Z knows how much he has left to spend, we will see a free agent signing or two. Or maybe he’s still saving up for mid-season.
As for Cliff Lee, I wouldn’t think he’d want to sign until he had an idea if (a) he was comfortable here, and (b) the team looked as if it could get him back to October.
vj on
January 19th, 2010 11:24 am
Maybe Wakamatsu and Buhner should take him on a hunting/fishing trip so he’s not so tempted by some team closer to his home in Arkansas.
Shouldn’t be too difficult to show him the hunting/fishing is much better in Washington State.
Do not underestimate the fishing and hunting opportunities in the great state of Arkansas!
wabbles on
January 19th, 2010 11:43 am
The only down side to all this, of course, is that in a mere 30 days pitchers and catchers report to spring training and then in the first week of April the regular season starts and this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful off-season will be over!
Looking forward to seeing Felix in a Mariners uniform for years to come.
dallin on
January 19th, 2010 12:15 pm
I literally shouted for joy when i read this! Thanks Jack!
harry on
January 19th, 2010 12:36 pm
Jack Z could not humiliate the Bavasi regime more thoroughly, were that his objective. This is amazing news.
stone0919 on
January 19th, 2010 12:40 pm
What a steal!!!!! Magic Jack does it again.
joser on
January 19th, 2010 12:41 pm
But I don’t understand why so many people here think this is a “cheap†signing for the M’s.
It’s a fair deal for both sides, as Mathew posted on LL prior to the signing: http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2010/1/14/1250214/a-hypothetical-felix-hernandez
Good job by Jack Z and his team getting the deal done, but honestly, I don’t think it was a “stealâ€.
Only Henryv used the term “steal” (and he added “and a half and a half” — I don’t know how the associative/commutative properties of “steals” work but it’s possible that adds up to zero “steals” …ie a win-win). The reason a lot of people consider this such a good deal is because many were worried that the negotiations would drag out and the team might be forced to trade Felix or, with their backs to the wall, pony up so much that it wouldn’t be a good deal. You might argue that Zduriencik wouldn’t let that happen (and as it turns out you’d be right) but we’re still living in the shadow of Bavasi, who would.
In the dark of our worst fears, a “fair” deal looks like a victory. Even after a year of Jack, we’re still not used to it. And I hope they continue, and we never do.
Violinguy72 on
January 19th, 2010 12:42 pm
Jack Z brings to life what other GMs only dream of.
I feel like I’m suddenly in an alternative universe. Since when is it the Mariners who lock up the future? My two favorite M’s will be in teal and blue for a long, long time.
lesch2k on
January 19th, 2010 1:34 pm
i also give Dr. Z credit for convincing/ bribing /asking / luckily getting Johjima back to Japan.
nathaniel dawson on
January 19th, 2010 1:41 pm
a Cliff Lee deal of 3 years and $55-60 million still possible?
I’m not sure it would be a good idea to have two big long-term contracts for pitchers on the Mariners payroll. Pitchers represent a huge risk, more so than postition players. While Felix is probably a less risky move than most pitchers, having two contracts like that might not be such a good idea.
Breadbaker on
January 19th, 2010 2:16 pm
I’m not sure it would be a good idea to have two big long-term contracts for pitchers on the Mariners payroll. Pitchers represent a huge risk, more so than postition players. While Felix is probably a less risky move than most pitchers, having two contracts like that might not be such a good idea.
Tom Tango has an interesting post today about how insurance on players’ contracts works in baseball and suggesting that all the insurance be allocated to pitchers and injury-prone regulars.
bcsimons on
January 19th, 2010 2:31 pm
The more you think about this deal the better it gets. For one you get arguably the best young pitcher in the Majors and two with his signing the signing of Chone Figgins and Gutierrez and the control Ichiro you have a solid base that will be around to build off of for a long while. And with the acquisition of Milton Bradley you have a player who will easily help tide you over until next years free agency in which yu have outfielders like Jayson Werth possibly on the market. This is not mentioning Cliff Lee. So while the mariners may only have a shot at winning their division this year they are keeping their top players for the long run which gives them time to improve and not have to worry about certain positions.
Techno_Viking- on
January 19th, 2010 4:37 pm
M’s best off-season ever! Hopefully it’s not quite over yet but I still can’t wait for spring training and regular season, I’m going through baseball withdrawals.
themojoworkin on
January 19th, 2010 4:50 pm
Does anyone know our current spending on next year’s roster? Do we have any $$$ left to sign another SP (high upside)?
uw2010 on
January 19th, 2010 4:55 pm
A couple years back I worked at the Best Buy in Bellevue as a summer job. We actually had a fair amount of local athletes come in, and sure enough Felix showed up one day with his family. Out of all the athletes that came in, he was by far the nicest (and most talented, of course). He was very polite, and just watching him interact with his family, you could tell he was very grounded for his age. The thing that actually surprised me the most was that after buying all his things and taking them out in a cart to his car, he made the effort to bring the cart all the way back into the store and stack it with the other carts. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you know anything about the Bellevue Best Buy, it kind of has a long parking lot with no real cart corral area, so at the end of the day we get stuck having to go out and round up all the carts that get scattered throughout the lot (and home depot’s lot). Hardly anyone ever takes the time to bring the carts back into the store, and just that little gesture on his part told me a lot about the kind of person he is. He seemed very down-to-earth, and I’m ecstatic that my favorite mariner will be here for at least another 5 years.
As a side note: Erik Bedard came in a little while later, and while I won’t say that he was a jerk or anything, he definitely didn’t give off the same vibe. We usually greeted everyone that entered the store with a “hello” or something of that nature, and Bedard just kind of brushed it off. He could be a nice guy, I don’t want to pass judgement on him or anything, but it just kind of seemed like he wasn’t too interested in dealing with people (which is fine I guess, he just likes his privacy). I just hope in the clubhouse he doesn’t give off that same kind of vibe.
DRFelix on
January 19th, 2010 4:56 pm
Felix’s Contract Breakdown was just tweeted by Heyman:
king felix breakdown:
$3.5M signing bonus,
$6.5M in ’10,
$10M in ’11,
$18.5. in ’12,
$19.5M in ’13,
$20M in ’14
Looks like we have a little more money available than most thought we were gonna have to dish to Felix this year in arb alone.
safecoview on
January 19th, 2010 5:05 pm
noproblempablo: “How’s that Lackey deal looking now, Theo? Mwahahahahahahahahaha!”
Without diminishing the King deal, I don’t think it is exactly apples-to-apples to compare a deal that buys out two arb. years with a straight free-agency deal. I think the Lackey deal was 5-yrs for $82m, an AAV of $16.4m; if you (probably conservatively) figure Felix’s arb years at $20m total, that leaves an AAV of $19.3m for the 3 free agency years.
Not a bad deal for (hopefully) one of the best pitchers in baseball during that time, but I don’t really see how it tarnishes the Lackey deal (irrespective of what one might feel about that deal independently, of course).
Holy cats! This can’t be right, can it? That’s way too fantastic a deal. Jack Z really does have the Power to Cloud Men’s Minds.
The 6 year rumors on the other thread got me a little too pumped, but I’ll more than take 5 more years of the King!
5 years and 80 Mil? Sounds like Felix gave us a little discount because he wanted to stay a Mariner! GREAT day!!!!!!!
Today is a day I raise my glass in a Toast to Dr.Z and the entire Mariner organization. And Thank you King Felix for giving us the discount you did.
Now I can hope for a Lee extension…
Jack Z is full of win!
Fanfreakingtastic!!!!
Awesome, awesome news…it was the first thing I saw as I cleared my eyes and looked at the ticker on ESPN…
What a way to wake up!!!!
Well, score one for Matthew . . . I don’t think this is so cheap that Felix will resent it down the line, but I really didn’t think we’d get him for so little. Amazing.
‘Safeco’, meet ‘Bald-Headed Statue’…
I’m so fired up right now. Spring training’s right around the corner, and Jack Z….. you are amazing.
So when’s the first “Jack Z Buzz-Cut Night”?
Jack Zduriencik will never have to buy a drink in this town.
Ninja In A Sweater Vest strikes again!
Wow!!! A great signing when locking up premier players hasn’t really been our history (pre-Z, I know). Maybe this will convince the Z Man skeptics that the dude is the real deal. As optimistic as I tend to be, I never thought he would turn things around this quickly. This is awesome! I take it as a big sign that Z is also fully capable of helping true studs want to stay and play here. Full marks to Z and Wak for creating that atmosphere and culture.
We get to have 10 years of Felix Days!!!
Woooo.
PS: I was at his first start at Safeco, and was super-excited. The people around me had no idea who was pitching that day. I’m sure they have some idea now.
At this point Jack should never have to buy his own house in this town.
Holy smokes. That’s a steal and a half and a half again.
Cancel work. Start up the music! Close the streets! It’s FELIX DAY in Seattle!
This is a bigger event than the acquisition of Cliff Lee and that’s saying something.
Outstanding job by Jack and the entire front office. You’ve certainly won over any remaining naysayers with this one.
Let us not forget that we’re also sticking it to both the Sox and Yanks, where both fanbases included a not insignificant number of fans who were convinced Felix was headed their way via trade. I hated every intonation of that I heard over the last two years, and I’m glad it’s over!
I want to yell out in Larry David’s Steinbrenner voice “I smell a pennnnaaaannnt!”
GREAT !!!
This just made my day !
I’ve already stuck it to the Yankee and Red Sox fans amongst my friends on Facebook. I know that the real pleasure ought to be from getting to watch Felix pitch for us, but for some reason that from cutting them out from getting Felix, after their arrogance in assuming that he would inevitably end up with them, is even better.
Well, he will be a free-agent again in 5 years, at age 28-29, so he MAY end up on the east coast, but who cares? He’s OURS for now, and The King will lead the Mariners to a WS title!!!
Good to be a fan right now…
Very interesting realization I just had. On the last day of classes for me last semester I received the Christmas Gift that was Cliff Frickin’ Lee. On the first day of classes this semester I received an even better gift, King Felix for another 5. PERHAPS! On the last day of this semester, May 14, we shall be undefeated and leading the Angels by 10!
ALL HAIL Z!!!!!!
For the Z-Crew the difficult is made to seem easy and the impossible is harder but doable. Welcome to Mariner Nation!
Thank you, Mr. Z!
As the Little Ceaser’s ads used to say:
“PARTY-PARTY!”
dear god that is awesome, Dr. Z be full awesomeness!
Each contract is just another brick in the Jack Z statue.
Almost as awesome as the USS Mariner server staying up through all this…
This has to be the best offseason by a Seattle sports GM in history… Z resigns Felix and Guti, trades for Lee, gets Figgins and gets rid of Silva!!
Go M’s!
Wow,
In my wildest dreams I could’ve seen 5/95M.
Jack Zduriencik, if nothing else, has been a constant source of pleasant news.
I honestly don’t know what to do with myself as a Mariner fan.
The only way I can temper my enthusiasm is to remind myself that the Mariners offense is still just average, but that’s a petty complaint and I’m stocking up on my bronze-statue polish as well.
So far this off-season almost every single one of my “pie in the sky” wishes has come to fruition. We obtained a legitimate “Number 2″ pitcher (and how), Gutierrez was signed long term, and now Felix is a Mariner long enough so that if I were to have a child in the next 9-months, I’d be able to instill an appreciation for Venezualan pitching in said theoretical child before the King hits free-agency again.
I can’t wait for Casey Kotchman to hit .290/.350/.450.
Geez, now I can’t even dismiss re-signing Lee as a fantasy
Thank you Felix! Thank you Z! Thank you entire front office! You have made all but one of my wildest dreams come true.
ON TO THE WORLD SERIES!
Okay, i love this and i love felix, but given the huge deal, will they still have the funds to resign Lee???? Are they even planing on keeping him aroud after this year????
Pants-Off-Dance-Off, indeed! Z does it again!! Felix stays!!!
Now, I think this offseason is an unqualified success. I can’t ask for anything else from Zduriencik.
I wish John McPhee or a writer of similar caliber were installed in a corner of the front office to write the story of Zduriencik’s management turn around of this club. The difference between where we are now and where we were 15 months ago is way beyond the difference between night and day. There’s a story begging to be told here about baseball and management style.
Joe C, if he wants to sign me to a 5 year 78 million dollar contract… that’s the only other thing I think I could ask for. And if he pulls that off I’m gonna start a new religion and call it Z-ism and pressure all you fine M’s followers into supporting it!!
Jon Heyman confirms the 5 years $78 million.
I would guess there are some incentives as well, such as a bonus for winning the Cy Young or being selected to the All Star team.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you Jack Zduriencik! I love this deal so freaking much!
I’m blissfully happy right now!
I’m glad to see they were able to negotiate and the FO didn;t throw the farm at him at the initial offer.
+1
pants are off, and doing the happy dance to the M’s techno music….
da-da-da-da-da-dat-dat-dot-da-da-da-da-da-dat-dat-dat…..
Woohoo Felix!
Wonder if Felix was watching the last game of the year on Mariner Monday last night when he agreed to this deal.
Z = Santa Claus.
Ain’t that the truth!
To quote Bill Murray from Stripes…
“Platoon, it’s party time!”
Whew! Now I can don my HERNANDEZ Mariners jersey forever in glory, not bitterness. Seriously. I’m talking never-nude.
Thanks, Jack, but also thanks Felix, for realizing that $78M is plenty of money and security is worth a lot. I wish I could find the comment thread from a few months ago where bunches of people were talking about how there’s no way Felix would do something like this (and ripping me for suggesting he might). For a pitcher, it makes sense to pull money off the table whenever you can, and when it’s $78M, there’s just no shame in it.
How about the Mariners giving Z a contract extension. I think he’s earned it.
OH YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Can somebody write me a note to get me out of class?
I saw an improvement in Felix’s performance this last season. He had better control of his emotions on the mound. In years past if the umpire chumped him on a call or if the defense made a bonehead play I could see him get upset and it would snowball into a bad situation. I really think his maturity caught up with his stuff last year. The one concern I have with Felix is believe it or not the length of his pants. I have seen them get caught in his cleats running to field a bunt and am worried he might injure himself. A few times he rocked the knee high look last year and I hope he continues that. This signing is so huge for the Mariners and their new attitude, I can’t wait for the season to begin!
During the winter meetings, I recall Felix’ agent saying that Felix was very happy in Seattle, and it sounded like he thought that both sides would come to an agreement with no problems. I was hoping that was true, and wasn’t just agent-speak. Looks like it was true.
Guess they couldn’t quite get it all done before they had to submit amounts for arbitration, but that was just a formality and a “just in case” scenario.
Interesting that he signs for the exact value that Matthew at LL had just calculated was ‘fair’ to both sides for 5 years.
– Jon Heyman
I hope this is not true of the M’s early position. 4 yrs at 45 mil. hardly buys out arbitration and is an insult. I believe in start lower than expectation in bargaining, but that could’ve been disastrous.
I remember that like it was yesterday!
I made sure to get 2nd row on the 3rd base line for that start. You’re totally right in that nobody had a clue who he was. I couldn’t count the times I heard people around me asking “whos this guy pitching?”.
I had to hold myself back to not scream at them for being dunderheads.
Happy day!
Any thoughts on how this deal and Lowe’s 1.15 one year deal affect the remainder of our budget for this year?
Don’t get too worried about that initial offer. By all accounts both sides had never exchanged actual numbers, and the M’s made theirs as “here’s our starting point: the numbers, you get into free agency in four years, we still buy out the arb years…” and they went from there. And when you consider they’re buying the arb years, that 4/45 doesn’t look so insulting.
We had to know that the first person to put actual terms out would be extremely tentative: either the team’s starting number would be low or the other side’s starting years/$ would be staggeringly huge.
In time, under estimate, job done. This is really the cherry on top of the sundae of unexpected delight that has been this offseason.
The improbable (Lee) they do right away. The impossible (Felix) takes a little longer.
True dat. Have there been some stealth upgrades?
And on top of that, you had a theoretical child! Congratulations! (Actually, considering there’s no such thing as a practical child, aren’t all children by definition theoretical?)
I’d stick around to heap yet more praise on the whole Front Office, but there’s this #34 jersey I’ve had my eye on…
I give credit to Z for locking him up for 5 more without crippling the team, but I think the real props go to Felix on this one. He could have snubbed his nose and bid his time till landing a huge East coast contract. Instead, he takes less money and sticks with the PNW and his fans. Kudos to the King.
Yeah, in negotiations it’s entirely about the context. If the atmosphere is congenial both sides can start with “insulting” numbers without either side getting insulted — it’s just business. Unless you’re actually in the room or are personally acquainted with the people involved and have an honest idea of how they feel about each other and the spirit in which they approached the deal, you really can’t judge it from random quotes that might escape the room.
Felix’ father apparently owns a trucking business (you want to talk about tough negotiations?), so I expect he taught him a thing or two about how this works. And Felix is by all accounts happy and comfortable with the Mariners and the direction the team is going. This is the only baseball family he’s ever known, and now it is well-led and going somewhere. That counts for a lot too.
Don’t forget Wil Polidor is also Franklin Gutierrez’ agent, so it was a busy and successful time for that side of the table too. (Interestingly, he was also a joint representative for Randy Johnson, so I have to assume that conversation did happen, at least in passing)
HOORAY!!!
Thank you Z and thank you Felix!!!
Oh my god, I’m happy.
Great news!
But I don’t understand why so many people here think this is a “cheap” signing for the M’s.
It’s a fair deal for both sides, as Mathew posted on LL prior to the signing:
http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2010/1/14/1250214/a-hypothetical-felix-hernandez
Good job by Jack Z and his team getting the deal done, but honestly, I don’t think it was a “steal”.
A great day for the Mariners and their fans. Can the broadcasters go ahead and call him King now? I wonder whether this will have any impact on Cliff Lee. Makes sense that he would opt for free agency, but he can’t help but notice what is going on with first Gutierrez and now El Rey Hernandez signing long-term. He’ll certainly need to get comfortable in his new baseball home. Maybe Wakamatsu and Buhner should take him on a hunting/fishing trip so he’s not so tempted by some team closer to his home in Arkansas.
How’s that Lackey deal looking now, Theo? Mwahahahahahahahahaha!
Shouldn’t be too difficult to show him the hunting/fishing is much better in Washington State.
Shannon has a blog post about the deal.
So, does this finish the M’s spending off for this year?
Or is it possible that a Cliff Lee deal of 3 years and $55-60 million still possible? I know he probably doesn’t plan on staying here, but… Heck, we signed Felix and Franky, why not dream?
Maybe now that Z knows how much he has left to spend, we will see a free agent signing or two. Or maybe he’s still saving up for mid-season.
As for Cliff Lee, I wouldn’t think he’d want to sign until he had an idea if (a) he was comfortable here, and (b) the team looked as if it could get him back to October.
Do not underestimate the fishing and hunting opportunities in the great state of Arkansas!
The only down side to all this, of course, is that in a mere 30 days pitchers and catchers report to spring training and then in the first week of April the regular season starts and this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful off-season will be over!
Fantastic deal for both sides.
Looking forward to seeing Felix in a Mariners uniform for years to come.
I literally shouted for joy when i read this! Thanks Jack!
Jack Z could not humiliate the Bavasi regime more thoroughly, were that his objective. This is amazing news.
What a steal!!!!! Magic Jack does it again.
Only Henryv used the term “steal” (and he added “and a half and a half” — I don’t know how the associative/commutative properties of “steals” work but it’s possible that adds up to zero “steals” …ie a win-win). The reason a lot of people consider this such a good deal is because many were worried that the negotiations would drag out and the team might be forced to trade Felix or, with their backs to the wall, pony up so much that it wouldn’t be a good deal. You might argue that Zduriencik wouldn’t let that happen (and as it turns out you’d be right) but we’re still living in the shadow of Bavasi, who would.
In the dark of our worst fears, a “fair” deal looks like a victory. Even after a year of Jack, we’re still not used to it. And I hope they continue, and we never do.
Jack Z brings to life what other GMs only dream of.
[loooooooooooong liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinkage]
I LOVE JACK Z!
I feel like I’m suddenly in an alternative universe. Since when is it the Mariners who lock up the future? My two favorite M’s will be in teal and blue for a long, long time.
i also give Dr. Z credit for convincing/ bribing /asking / luckily getting Johjima back to Japan.
I’m not sure it would be a good idea to have two big long-term contracts for pitchers on the Mariners payroll. Pitchers represent a huge risk, more so than postition players. While Felix is probably a less risky move than most pitchers, having two contracts like that might not be such a good idea.
Tom Tango has an interesting post today about how insurance on players’ contracts works in baseball and suggesting that all the insurance be allocated to pitchers and injury-prone regulars.
The more you think about this deal the better it gets. For one you get arguably the best young pitcher in the Majors and two with his signing the signing of Chone Figgins and Gutierrez and the control Ichiro you have a solid base that will be around to build off of for a long while. And with the acquisition of Milton Bradley you have a player who will easily help tide you over until next years free agency in which yu have outfielders like Jayson Werth possibly on the market. This is not mentioning Cliff Lee. So while the mariners may only have a shot at winning their division this year they are keeping their top players for the long run which gives them time to improve and not have to worry about certain positions.
M’s best off-season ever! Hopefully it’s not quite over yet but I still can’t wait for spring training and regular season, I’m going through baseball withdrawals.
Does anyone know our current spending on next year’s roster? Do we have any $$$ left to sign another SP (high upside)?
A couple years back I worked at the Best Buy in Bellevue as a summer job. We actually had a fair amount of local athletes come in, and sure enough Felix showed up one day with his family. Out of all the athletes that came in, he was by far the nicest (and most talented, of course). He was very polite, and just watching him interact with his family, you could tell he was very grounded for his age. The thing that actually surprised me the most was that after buying all his things and taking them out in a cart to his car, he made the effort to bring the cart all the way back into the store and stack it with the other carts. This may not seem like a big deal, but if you know anything about the Bellevue Best Buy, it kind of has a long parking lot with no real cart corral area, so at the end of the day we get stuck having to go out and round up all the carts that get scattered throughout the lot (and home depot’s lot). Hardly anyone ever takes the time to bring the carts back into the store, and just that little gesture on his part told me a lot about the kind of person he is. He seemed very down-to-earth, and I’m ecstatic that my favorite mariner will be here for at least another 5 years.
As a side note: Erik Bedard came in a little while later, and while I won’t say that he was a jerk or anything, he definitely didn’t give off the same vibe. We usually greeted everyone that entered the store with a “hello” or something of that nature, and Bedard just kind of brushed it off. He could be a nice guy, I don’t want to pass judgement on him or anything, but it just kind of seemed like he wasn’t too interested in dealing with people (which is fine I guess, he just likes his privacy). I just hope in the clubhouse he doesn’t give off that same kind of vibe.
Felix’s Contract Breakdown was just tweeted by Heyman:
king felix breakdown:
$3.5M signing bonus,
$6.5M in ’10,
$10M in ’11,
$18.5. in ’12,
$19.5M in ’13,
$20M in ’14
Looks like we have a little more money available than most thought we were gonna have to dish to Felix this year in arb alone.
noproblempablo: “How’s that Lackey deal looking now, Theo? Mwahahahahahahahahaha!”
Without diminishing the King deal, I don’t think it is exactly apples-to-apples to compare a deal that buys out two arb. years with a straight free-agency deal. I think the Lackey deal was 5-yrs for $82m, an AAV of $16.4m; if you (probably conservatively) figure Felix’s arb years at $20m total, that leaves an AAV of $19.3m for the 3 free agency years.
Not a bad deal for (hopefully) one of the best pitchers in baseball during that time, but I don’t really see how it tarnishes the Lackey deal (irrespective of what one might feel about that deal independently, of course).
An exciting day for the M’s!
And for this you give us Kool and the Gang?!