M's, King Felix agree to huge deal, report says

SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez is set to ink a seven-year, $175 million contract sometime before the team reports for spring training, USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale reported Thursday.

The deal would make Hernandez, 26, the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.



Citing unnamed sources, Nightengale said Hernandez's new contract will take effect this season and pay him an annual value of $25 million through 2019. The price tag trumps Los Angeles Dodgers' Zach Greinke's six-year, $147 million contract signed in December.

Hernandez will be just 33 when the contract expires.

In 2012, Hernandez pitched 232 innings with 223 strikeouts and a 3.06 ERA. Hernandez was voted the American League Cy Young winner in 2010.