MLB notebook: 'King Felix' happy as Mariners' ace
BY Associated Press
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
2/15/12 at 4:38 AM
He is the ace on a team that is struggling to find respectability in the tough AL West, and the role suits Felix Hernandez just fine.
"King Felix" says he is "not going anywhere," exactly the position of the Seattle Mariners' front office despite speculation that inevitably surfaces from time to time for a team that finished dead last in its division the past two years.
The 2010 AL Cy Young winner is entering his seventh full season with the Mariners, and he's only 25 years old. The team so wanted to hang on to their biggest star that a year ago they signed him to a five-year, $78 million contract. He is to make $18.5 million this year.
"I'm very happy with my career right now," Hernandez said.
Royals exercise option on Yost for next season: The Kansas City Royals have exercised their option on manager Ned Yost to keep him with the club through the 2013 season.
Yost was hired in May 2010 to replace Trey Hillman.
Dodgers' bidders to meet MLB's ownership committee: Remaining bidders for the Los Angeles Dodgers have been told they will be scheduled for meetings with Major League Baseball's ownership committee early next month. The exact date of each group's meeting has not been set yet.
Brewers beat reliever Veras in salary arbitration: Milwaukee has won its arbitration case against reliever Jose Veras, giving teams a 4-2 lead over players this year.
Veras was awarded a $2 million salary by a three-person panel Tuesday rather than his request for $2,375,000.
Fukudome, White Sox agree to $1M deal: Four years later, the Chicago White Sox finally signed Kosuke Fukudome - and for a fraction of the price he cost the Cubs.
The outfielder agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract that guarantees $1 million. He will get a $500,000 salary this year, and the White Sox have a $3.5 million option for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.
Source says Maddon, Rays reach contract extension: A person familiar with the deal says manager Joe Maddon has agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Tony Gwynn undergoing surgery for tumor: Hall of Fame outfielder Tony Gwynn is undergoing surgery to remove a new cancerous tumor inside his right cheek.
Gwynn, now San Diego State's baseball coach, had previously had a malignant growth removed from the same spot in August 2010.
