As the Yankees searched for starting pitching with Sunday’s non-waiver trade deadline approaching, the dream solution to their rotation woes dressed in the opposing clubhouse yesterday.
But when he was asked before last night’s game if he thought there was any chance he’d be dealt by the trade deadline, Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez quickly summed up his thoughts on the matter.
“No,” he said.
Already one of the best pitchers in baseball at 25, and under contract for the next three years, Hernandez is one of the most valuable commodities in baseball, making it highly unlikely the Mariners would even consider dealing him. But even Hernandez, who is 8-9 with a 3.47 ERA, hasn’t been able to stop the Mariners from dropping their last 15 games in a row after beginning the year 43-43.
“When I pitched in Boston [in Friday’s 7-4 loss], I was trying to end the losing streak,” he said. “But I wasn’t able to, and I was disappointed. We need to keep fighting and find a way to win a game.”
Hernandez grew up idolizing fellow Venezuelan Freddy Garcia, who was scheduled to start last night for the Yankees. Hernandez first met his idol after he signed with the Mariners when he was 16 and was given a tour of Safeco Field.
“I knew him when I was in the minors,” Hernandez said. “We still talk. He’s a friend of mine, and a good guy.”
Hernandez has been joined in the Mariners rotation by another righty with an overpowering arsenal of pitches: rookie Michael Pineda, who is 8-7 with a 3.64 ERA.
“I’m very impressed with the way he can pitch, and has command and all of his pitches,” Hernandez said. “He’s good, and he’s going to be good.”
Along with Pineda, the Mariners also have other young, promising talents in 2009 No. 2 overall pick Dustin Ackley, the team’s starting second baseman, and first baseman Justin Smoak, the centerpiece of the package of players Seattle acquired from the Rangers for Cliff Lee last summer.
Combined with Hernandez, that core gives the Mariners hope for a brighter future. But Hernandez isn’t giving up on the present, regardless of the team’s recent play.
“I think we have a pretty good future,” Hernandez said. “But I think we have pretty good talent here, now, too.”