A lot of people on television.

They're going to get a crap ton of money with their next TV deal.

BUT LOL MARINUZ H8

When was the last time the highest paid pitcher in the league played for the worst team in the league? And is anyone else thinking now the Mariners will use this contract as an "excuse" for why they can't afford to go out and sign any other quality players?

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You are absolutely entitled to state your opinion whenever you wish, and I am absolutely entitled to point out the stupidity of that opinion with the same frequency.

like Josh Hamilton, who chose the Angels? Or Prince Fielder, who chose the Tigers?

Cant kidnap and force these players to Seattle... gets old hearing the same line from people on here. Only M's fans would complain about NOT signing players immediately after dropping $175 million on a player

Winning solves players not wanting to come here, the FO made a move they really did not have to make, they could have traded him away for more prospects and kept the influx of youngsters running through the organization like other mlb farm teams do.

I think they are trying to turn this thing around but you can't do it over night and this is another step in the right direction. Felix will still be a top notch pitcher when this new contract ends because he throws such a mechanically sound ball. Things are looking up....

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http://personal-spectrum.com/

So where have the butts been in the past.

Last year, M's averaged 21,258 (5th worst in league) per game at home, at only 44% (worst in league) of capacity.

A quick check on Hernandez, attendance avg. = under 29,000 at home (only used games in which he got the decision).

IS an extra 8-10,000 butts going to pay for that contract?



Also, this doesn't bode well for him:

"MLB - Hernandez lots of innings at 26
At age 26, Felix Hernandez has thrown over 1,620 innings in the majors. In the Divisional Era, only three players have pitched more innings through their age-26 seasons. Bert Blyleven went on to the Hall of Fame; neither Valenzuela nor Gooden reached 200 career wins."

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That's weak sauce!

And Russell Wilson was too short to play NFL football because statistically no one had really done it. More statistical garbage.

Mariners need something to hang their hats on, Felix obviously loves it here and we got a hometown discount in return. It's a win-win-win for him, the team and the fans.

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There is no honor amongst thieves and bandwagon jumpers.

Well, I like it, he is definitely worth that contract and now that solves the will they/won't they trade talk. Now they need to grow around him, I realize it's not going to turn around in one year or two but Hernandez makes any team better and is the only money player or stadium draw the Mariners have.

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NFL, all your Owlz are belong to us!

You're right, stats don't mean anything.

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That's weak sauce!

When I saw that on the news ticker, I was just surprised the Mariners ponied up that kind of dough to someone not named Ichiro.

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My single greatest contribution to the board: "42-13" (formerly 24-14)

Also gets old hearing the same old folks making the same old excuses for the Mariners upper front office.

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Hugh Millen = CBJ minus the cool beard

Sorry Sports Hernia... I still don't get it. What excuse? Hell, what's the problem? We just signed one of the best pitchers in baseball... at at 175 million. Am I missing something?

And they don't mean EVERYTHING either.

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There is no honor amongst thieves and bandwagon jumpers.

As good a season as RW had, it means nothing in a discussion about pitchers.

Odds are against Felix winning 200 games. Could happen, but likely won't.

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That's weak sauce!

very happy for Felix, he deserves it.. and to stick around a losing organization , i just became an even bigger fan...

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On to the Next Episode

Several guys in my old duffers coffee group were bitching about this.

I told them 2 things

1. Its nice to see the Mariners spend money on a real quality player for once.

2. They will get their money back 10 fold by the number of people Felix puts in the seats on his days on the mound.

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Still missing you everyday pal.

Complaining about giving a huge contract to the best pitcher in baseball to make him a long term mariner, after bitching about not signing fielder, Hamilton, etc... I swear the ms have the most asinine fans in baseball at this point. Everyone is so determined to loathe every move they make.

And yes. I am exaggerating mildly for the purpose of illustration, but this contract is everything an ms fan should want - a serious long term financial investment in a superstar. We can only hope it's not the last.

Yeah, but that is like 400 wins on a good team.
How many wins did he have the year he won the Cy Young?

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SEAHAWKS.NET. We All We Got, We All We Need

Are you sure? 175 million times ten is 1.75 billion in profits. Are you sure?

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I'm glad they did it for 5 reasons:

1- He wants to be here.

2- He's the best starting pitcher in baseball.

3- We now won't end up with a Randy Johnson/Shawn Kemp situation.

4- Basically he's already earned it in his career thus far. If he drops off some, then he's still brought the team their 25 million a year worth for the last 6+ years in my view, and they could find a trade partner much more easily if needed due to his being locked up at what will be considered reasonable for THE elite starter (remember... he's making less than A-Rod per average season on this contract.

5- Plus he's young, competitive, and like an NFL QB who if he's "the best" makes about this much and only has to play 16 games a year plus playoffs). Felix will give you his best every night for 30+ starts per year.

So to wrap it up... Felix doesn't ruin the Mariners salary setup, as they have so many young arms right now, he is locked up forever, which is good for everybody, and if you're a free agent or trade target that is thinking about Seattle, they start to look a lot better when you're essentially guaranteed Felix will be here for your entire contract.

Would it have made a difference in trying to acquire Upton? Who knows... but I can see others that will want to come here to play with Felix, just as we're going to see NFL players wanting to come play with Russell Wilson, or the way NBA players loved playing with Gary Payton, and how others wanted to be here with Edgar, Griffey, and Buhner knowing they get run support as a pitcher, or massive protection in the lineup as a hitter (if ownership had opened the purse strings and let Lou and Gillick acquire a left-handed power bat, but that's another story, and a reason we have no World Series trophies in Seattle).

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R.I.P. Dad. I miss you. You will never be forgotten
1/12/39 - 8/7/08

Apparently you dont. Examine your history of defending this FO group then get back to me. No one is denying locking up Felix is a GREAT thing! No one, but its something that SHOULD be done, its a no-brainer for any org in this situation to do the same thing!

Now, is Felix going to be used as an excuse by your 2 friends Chuck and Howard to not spend anymore $$$ on top tier talent from here on out for years to come??? (Remember Armstrong's "Freddy ate all of our cookies" quote when Garcia won an arb case against Seattle).

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Hugh Millen = CBJ minus the cool beard