Zduriencik statement on Hernandez negotiations

By Shannon Drayer

Full disclosure here. I am not in Peoria yet, and will not be for a couple more weeks. My reporting date this year is a little later. I will keep you posted with what I hear and what I think but first hand accounts are a couple of weeks away.

That said, the Mariners have released the statement that Jack Zduriencik made earlier this morning in Peoria about the ongoing negotiations with Felix Hernandez.

“It’s no secret we’ve been in negotiations. We’ve had really good discussions with his two representatives Scotty Pucino and WIl Polidor and myself and Jeff Kingston and Bart Waldman and have engaged I would say significantly.

“Although I don’t have an update for you right now, I will say I think things have been very positive. There’s been a good tone to our discussions. I hope on a positive note that sooner than later we’ll be able to announce something. But anything of this magnitude, both in terms of years and dollars, just takes time to work things out. I would say at this moment it’s been real positive and sooner than later we’ll have something to say that is significant. Right now that’s all I can comment on.”

I don’t think it gets much more clear than that.

Pitchers and catchers take their physicals today and hit the field for their first workout tomorrow. There is a good chance that Felix could hit the field with a new contract then. If not, then maybe the next day. It would appear to be coming.