Seattle Mariners: Felix Hernandez (51.5 WAR)
So far, Felix Hernandez has the misfortune of joining a Seattle Mariners franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2001, four years before he made his major league debut. Perhaps they can break that streak before his contract is up.
Felix Hernandez is no longer the stud pitcher he once was. He’s more of a number three or number four starter these days. There was a time, though, when he was among the best in the game.
Felix Hernandez had his first great year in 2009 when he was 19-5 with a 2.49 ERA and finished second in AL Cy Young voting. That was his first of six all-star seasons. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 2010, despite finishing with a record of just 13-12.
The award was deserved, though, because Felix led the league in ERA, innings pitched, and WAR. Despite his mediocre record, he was the most valuable pitcher in the AL that season.
In 2012, Felix pitched the only perfect game in the history of the Seattle Mariners. Felix’s perfecto came on August 15, 2012, against the Tampa Bay Rays, with 21,889 fans in attendance, although many more than that will probably claim they were there. At least King’s Court was filled with blue and gold “K” cards.
Felix is still with the Seattle Mariners, but his days of domination are behind hm. His ERA has jumped in each of the last four years, from 2.14 to 3.53 to 3.82 to 4.36 to his current 4.89. When he takes the mound these days, realistic fans aren’t thinking perfect game. They’re just hoping he can get through five or six innings and keep the Seattle Mariners close. Still, despite his recent mediocrity, he’s one of the five best players in Seattle Mariners history.