"The Yankees or any team could basically offer their whole farm system and Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said he will not trade reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez by this Sunday's trade deadline.

"You can say nine guys," Zduriencik told ESPNNewYork.com. "You could say 12 guys. What does it matter? The deal is we have a guy who we relish. We want to get to a point where we are competitive and as good as any club in baseball. To get to that point, you have to have top-of-the-rotation starters. We've got it. Your best asset, you ought to keep, and that is what we intend to do."

The fact that the Mariners entered Tuesday night's game at Yankee Stadium having lost 16 straight has not changed Zduriencik's long-term plan. The Mariners added to their woes, losing 4-1 Tuesday night, upping their losing streak to 17."