According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Mariners avoided arbitration with pitcher Felix Hernandez by signing him for $3.8MM for ’09. Chien-Ming Wang received $4MM in his first arb year, though he is a Super Two player so he goes to arbitration four times rather than three. Cole Hamels, also a Super Two, will receive $4.35MM for his first arb year in his newly-signed deal.
When the 2011 season comes to a close and Hernandez can file for free agency, he’ll be just 25 years old.
