Mariners Trade Scenarios: Could They Really Trade Felix Hernandez This Winter?

Since the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, Mariners ace Felix Hernandez is 8-2 and has tossed four complete game shutouts, including a perfect game against the Rays on August 15th.

Despite being the best pitcher in baseball during that time and boosting his resumé, as well as launching himself into the running for a second Cy Young Award, it isn't entirely unforeseeable that Felix could get traded this offseason.

General managers throughout the league will be constantly on the phone with Jack Zduriencik, attempting to pry away Seattle's best player. There's no doubt the cost will be high. Proven young players such as Giancarlo Stanton, Gio Gonzalez and Kris Medlen will be targets, along with packages of highly touted prospects.

That being said, seeing as how Felix has dominated the opposition this season and throughout his long but still extremely young career, I don't see the M's parting ways with him any time soon.

Not only is Hernandez pitching like a Cy Young winner, the guys around him are stepping up and the Mariners are playing some high quality baseball. They won't make the playoffs this year, but 2013 looks promising if they are able to keep the core of the team together, and that all starts with King Felix.

He's made it clear that he loves Seattle and promised he won't leave when and if his contract runs out, so as long as his signature is at the bottom of a Mariners contract, I believe he's safe in Seattle. 

The fans would overthrow management, the media would destroy the front office, and most importantly, the Seattle Mariners would not be as good of a baseball team. 

General manager Jack Zduriencik emphatically exclaimed that he will not trade Felix, and I, as well as Mariner fans everywhere, want to believe it. Only time will tell I suppose, but my bet is that King Felix will continue to reign in the Pacific Northwest.