Major League Baseball

Sources: M's, Saunders reach deal

Published Feb. 7, 2013 12:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

The Seattle Mariners aren’t just focused on locking up ace right-hander Felix Hernandez with a seven-year, $175 million contract.

The team also has reached agreement with free-agent left-hander Joe Saunders on a one-year, $6.5 million deal, according to major-league sources.

Saunders can earn additional $1 million in incentives and the deal includes a mutual option for 2014.

The deal is pending a physical, sources said.

Saunders, 31, will replace lefty Jason Vargas, whom the Mariners traded to the Los Angeles Angels in December for first baseman/DH Kendrys Morales.

The Baltimore Orioles were among the other teams that had interest in Saunders, whose initial desire was for a three-year deal.

Saunders began last season with the Arizona Diamondbacks before getting traded to Baltimore for reliever Matt Lindstrom on Aug. 26.

An eight-year veteran, Saunders finished the season 9-13 with a 4.07 ERA in 174 2/3 innings. He is 78-65 with a 4.15 ERA lifetime.

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