"The perfect pitcher.

That's how Mark Teixeira described Felix Hernandez on Friday night, high praise from a hitter who has seen his share of pitchers over the past nine seasons.

As the calendar turns to June this week and then July, there will be whispers and rumors about the Yankees trying to pry King Felix away from the Mariners. Ignore them.

After all, if the Mariners are in possession of the perfect pitcher - a 25-year-old perfect pitcher, for that matter - what possible reason would they have to deal him?

Hernandez was far from perfect Saturday night, giving up four runs on six hits and five walks in his seven-inning no-decision against the Yankees. He gave up home runs to Teixeira and Robinson Cano, and could not hold a 4-3 lead in the seventh.

Still, Hernandez is the holy grail. He's the player that all 30 teams in the majors strive to develop, yet only afew have been fortunate to possess.

The Yankees were hoping Phil Hughes would be that guy. Assuming Hughes can regain his fastball and find the form that helped him win 18 games last year, he can still be a front-line starter, but is anybody comparing him to King Felix?

Despite the fact that Hernandez is only two months older than Hughes, it seems as though he's been around forever. He broke into the majors in 2005, dealing to the tune of a 2.67 ERA in a dozen starts as a rookie.

"I remember pretty vividly the first time I faced him," Teixeira said. "I went back to the dugout saying, 'Oh my goodness, this kid's special.'"

Hernandez went through some growing pains in the big leagues at an age when most pitchers were either taking final exams or toiling in the minors, but at the ripe old age of 25, he's got it all figured out."