The Mariners and Felix Hernandez have agreed to a five year extension worth around 80 million dollars. Hernandez had a career year in Seattle last season, posting a 2.49 ERA and 217 strikeouts in 34 starts.

This is a great deal for both sides. For the Mariners, they lock up their ace long-term at a bargain rate, giving them the flexibility down the road to discuss an extension with Cliff Lee, or pursue other players on the open market.

For Hernandez, he signs his first big extension with a team in playoff contention, and will be a free agent in 2014 at the prime age of 28. If he continues on his current path, he should be in line for another big deal down the road.