Report: Felix Hernandez, Mariners agree to 7-year, $175 million deal

Felix Hernandez has reportedly agreed to a megadeal with the Mariners -- $175 million over 7 years -- which would make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Felix Hernandez and the Mariners have agreed to a seven-year, $175 million contract extension making him the highest paid pitcher in baseball history, reports USA Today:

Hernandez was scheduled to earn $19.5 million in 2013 and $20 million in '14. Instead, his new contract will take effect this season and pay him a record average annual value of $25 million through 2019.

Hernandez's contract trumps C.C. Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal, signed before the 2010 season, as the richest ever for a pitcher. The average annual value of $25 million trumps the $24.5 million that Zack Greinke will receive annually from the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a six-year, $147 million deal signed in December.

The source was a person familiar with the contract details but spoke on anonymity because the deal is not yet official. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik declined to comment.