Fernandez Exits Quietly - 2032

[JohnC]

Montreal

When the Blazers signed Juan Fernandez in late 2027 as a free agent from California it went mostly unnoticed. It was a 5 year contract that ended up being full value for the Blazers. Fernandez would go on to play 735 games for the Blazers. He was mister consistency during that time, never hitting below .299, and never above .324. He twice led the league in triples, and was constantly a steady defender in the outfield. His overall stat line in his Blazers career is solid, but not spectacular. It reads:

GP: 735 Hits: 894 Runs: 397 2B: 128 3B: 46 HR: 41 RBI: 328 .AVG: 310 OBP: 348 WAR 7.4

There was talk of Fernandez wanting to re-sign and end his career in Montreal, but the Blazers simply did not have the projected budget room. That combined with the internal debates that management is having trying to decide if they want to tear town and start from scratch again, led to Fernandez becoming a free agent. All of these things are going to lead to what could be one very interesting and busy offseason in Montreal.

For now, Fernandez leaves the same way he came in. Very little fanfare...

[Ted]

I was sad to let him go, but you paid him more than I could. I ended up signing Doug Kendall instead, for 7.5 per year for 4 years.

For comparison:
655 games, 566 hits, 255 runs, 99 2B, 6 3B, 77 HR, 290 RBI, .256/.310/.411 3.3 WAR

We play in dramatically different hitting environments, and Kendal's inability to play D the last year and a half really ate into his WAR. If you want to try to adjust the bats for hitting environment you have:

Fernandez wRC+
2028 120
2029 100
2030 97
2031 90
2032 102

Kendall wRC+
2028 107
2029 101
2030 102
2031 114

Anyway, not sure who "won" there. Dramatically different types of bats playing in different parks. Fernandez was a much better left fielder (at least in the first half of your deal)

[JohnC]

Nice comparison Ted. I never would have guessed that their numbers were that close.

[RonCo]

Nice player.

[ae37jr]

Fernandez was that guy... when your pitcher navigates his way through Montreals murderers row, you take a big sigh of relief and say, "I got this!", Fernandez steps it the box and you say "Jesus Christ, this guys batting seventh?" as he promptly pokes a weak ground ball through the hole to drive in the tying and go ahead run.

I'd love to sign him but lack the money and playing time he deserves. Will be happy to see him leave Montreal though. He always killed us.

[udlb58]

Fernandez was that guy... when your pitcher navigates his way through Montreals murderers row, you take a big sigh of relief and say, "I got this!", Fernandez steps it the box and you say "Jesus Christ, this guys batting seventh?" as he promptly pokes a weak ground ball through the hole to drive in the tying and go ahead run.

I'd love to sign him but lack the money and playing time he deserves. Will be happy to see him leave Montreal though. He always killed us.

I agree. Nothing illustrated how good the Blazers lineup has been better than their 7-9 hitters. Two players who hit .320 with a 25 HR player sitting behind them. There are 3-5 teams in the league who would kill for that to be their 1-3 hitters.