Report: Mariners Nixed Blockbuster Deal

According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, there was a trade in the works which would have been the biggest deadline deal in recent memory. It was no secret the Red Sox were interested in Adrian Gonzalez, and there were some rumors circulating that they also coveted Felix Hernandez. They ended up trading for Victor Martinez, but that was -- according to Baker -- only because a three-team blockbuster deal was vetoed by Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik.

The proposed deal? The Red Sox would have received King Felix by bringing in the Padres as a third team. The Mariners would have received Gonzalez, Clay Buchholz and two other prospects from the Red Sox. The Padres would have gotten back upwards of four top-notch prospects along with Brandon Morrow.

The fact that Seattle scoffed at the deal shows their loyalty to and belief in Felix Hernandez. It would be incredibly tempting to swap him out for Gonzalez, Buchholz and some other prospects -- especially after the Bill Bavasi-trading-for-Erik Bedard debacle. But Felix is only 23 years old and he's already one of the best pitchers in the majors. So far this season he's 12-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. He's on pace to shatter his previous career highs in pretty much every category. There are over a decade of All-Star seasons left in that golden right arm, and the Mariners control him through 2011. Thus, it's likely they'd need an absolute killing for him right now.

Considering their ability to turn down such a hefty package, they'll probably see much better offers -- ones where they won't have to part with three prospects in addition to Felix -- in the next year or two as long as they are willing to listen. It's going to be interesting to see how the Mariners progress in terms of both their on-field product and ability to sign Felix long-term in the next year.

If strides are made in neither department, the Roy Halladay sweepstakes from this past month could be made to look like child's play compared to the King Felix fury at the 2010 deadline. We're talking about a top-five pitcher in the league for the next 12 years, and the Mariners won't be stupid enough to let him walk for free.