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Have bat, will travel Tony Fernandez close to signing with Japanese team
Posted: Sunday January 23, 2000 06:39 PM
Tony Fernandez, who was hitting .400 as late as June 29 last year, is expected to sign with a Japanese team early next week. Fernandez hit .328 last season for the Toronto Blue Jays with six homers and 75 RBIs. The 37-year-old infielder, who finished with the eight-highest batting average in the American League, became a free agent after the season. However, teams didn't show much interest in the 16-year veteran, who has a .288 career average. His salary with the Japanese team is expected to exceed the $2.2 million he made with the Blue Jays last season. Adam Katz, Fernandez's agent, declined comment on the talks, which were confirmed by a baseball official who spoke on the condition he not be identified.
Third baseman Ed Sprague, who hit .267 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs for the Pittsburgh Pirates last year, is also closing on a deal with a Japanese team, the official said. Milwaukee catcher Dave Nilsson already has signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan's Central League. Nilsson wanted to play for Australia in the Sydney Olympics but couldn't have if he had been with a major league team. The Sydney Games take place during the final two weeks of the major league regular season.
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