Report: Mariners, Seager close to 7-year, $100-million extension

One year after signing Robinson Cano to a 10-year deal, the Seattle Mariners are close to another mammoth contract with a talented infielder. The club is on the verge of a seven-year, $100-million extension with Kyle Seager, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.

Though Seager must complete a physical before the deal is finalized, the 27-year-old is poised to sign a contract that includes a team option for an eighth season that could keep him in Seattle through 2022. The former third-round pick would've remained under club control through 2017 regardless - he's only now entering his first season of arbitration-eligibility - but Seager's new contract guarantees the Mariners at least his first four years of free agency.

Seager, though, has quietly emerged as one the game's top infielders in recent years, compiling more wins above replacement since 2012 than all but five third basemen. He elevated his game to a new level this past season, however, establishing new career-highs in numerous statistical categories while posting 5.5 WAR, the fourth-best mark at his position.

Seager's career-high 25 home runs remain particularly noteworthy, as only one other Mariners player has reached the plateau in the last five seasons. Despite playing half his games in Safeco Field, an environment that discourages home runs, Seager still managed a career-best .186 isolated power last season, the 19th-best mark among American League hitters.

With a new contract nearly finalized, Seager appears set to join Cano as a long-term fixture on a club eager to return to relevance after missing the playoffs in 2014 for a thirteenth consecutive season.