I remember when they were scouting him way back when. Obviously with these young guys you just hear the name one offseason and then a couple years later he crops up somewhere.

If I remember right Felix said his family was just more comfortable with the Mariners organization and he had a really good relationship with the scout who was assigned to him.

So much would be different... Do we trade Edgar for Jurrjens? Do we make the playoffs in 2007? Do we resign Glavine? It makes me sad this didn't work out... Here's to hoping Julio Teheran is the next King Felix.

But he's shown the Hampton-esque penchant for injury without at least proving as much prior to it. Yeah, he's one of a couple really young guys who have thrown shutouts at Fenway, and is seemingly "one of the future young arms of greatness," with guys like Scott Kazmir, but since then, he's been on the DL as much as he's actually contributed.

Call me crazy, but I don't think Hernandez is all that great yet. Aside from a handful of impressive starts, he can still improve. And he's young; cases in point - Kyle Davies, Pedro Astacio. Would acquiring Felix been worth trading the farm? I don't think so. Avoiding injury is as much a talent as swinging a bat, and fielding a ball. Muscle training and good nutrition are things that clearly not all ball players perform exceptionally (read: David Wells, Bob Wickman) and your body is the toolbelt required to harness all your tools. If you can't take care of it, barring freak accident injuries, then you're no better than a player that hits below the Mendoza line.

Besides, I'm really high on Jurrjens. Edgar for Jurrjens - win. Especially with the growth and development of Yunel Escobar.

Now with all this being said, watch King Felix come to town during interleague and throw a no-hitter or something.

You're right, that I haven't seen him enough. But a fan kind of gets sour on a player, when the three times I've gone up to Safeco on a supposed Felix day, only to find out that he's out; be it DL or just skipping a start due to a nagging ailment, and getting like Cha Sung Baek instead.

Bringing up Davies and Astacio were examples of two guys who started real hot in their careers, and turned out to be essential busts. Not that I'm saying Felix will sink to those levels, but early in a career doesn't make someone great throughout an entirety.

So I'll defer; you're right, I don't know enough about Felix as I thought I did, but my bottom line is that he's good, but not yet worthy of a nickname like "King."

About the letter, that is. Particularly enjoyed the charting of his pitch selection - entertaining stuff, indeed! Like I said first, when the Mariners come to Atlanta during interleague, watch Felix throw a no-hitter, and sufficiently make me eat my words.

I understand kid gloves with certain people, but when it gets to Joba-like proportions, I begin to think it's over-the-top. Now if Joba becomes the next Roger Clemens, I'll eat those words when I'm 46.