Dec 07, 2009 4:55 PM EST

The Mariners have begun discussions with pitcher Felix Hernandez on a long-term deal.

Seattle has reportedly made a four-year, $45 million offer to Hernandez, but the Seattle Times writes that he would likely make more by simply waiting to go through arbitration.

He went 19-5 with 217 strikeouts and a 2.49 ERA in 2009.

Via Seattle Times