Fernandez, Marlins Hook Up On $35 Million Deal

Alex Fernandez came home Monday, sacrificing millions of dollars to pitch for the Florida Marlins.

After seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox, the 27-year-old right-hander agreed to a $35 million, five-year contract with a team that regards him as a local hero.

“It’s a very exciting, emotional day,” said Fernandez, fighting back tears at a news conference. “It’s a great feeling to know you’ll be sleeping in your own house and be with your wife and kids every day.”

The burly Miami native became a free agent Saturday when the new labor agreement restored service time from the 1994-95 strike. His agent, Scott Boras, said 16 teams expressed interest in Fernandez, and two clubs were willing to pay more than $40 million for five years.

The Marlins’ stiffest competition reportedly came from Cleveland.

“The money was overwhelming somewhere else,” Fernandez said. “It wasn’t an easy decision. It all comes down to being at home.”

Fernandez, a Cuban American, grew up in Miami and pitched for the Miami Hurricanes before turning professional in 1990. He’s building a house 15 minutes from Pro Player Stadium.

Family and friends at the news conference included his parents, who have lived in Miami for 30 years.

After making $4.5 million last year, Fernandez will get $7 million in each of the next five seasons, putting him seventh in average salary and second among pitchers behind Atlanta’s John Smoltz ($7.75 million). Fernandez becomes the Marlins’ best-paid player, surpassing Gary Sheffield’s $6.1 million for 1997.

Boston lands Saberhagen

The Boston Red Sox signed Bret Saberhagen to a minor-league contract with incentives that could pay him $3.5 million if he recovers from shoulder surgery and regains his Cy Young Award-winning form.

Saberhagen, 32, would get a $500,000 base salary if he is added to the major league roster and a $600,000 bonus if he makes the active roster during the season. He would earn $3.5 million if he makes 25 starts and pitches 200 innings.

Santiago joins Blue Jays

Catcher Benito Santiago agreed to a $6.5 million, two-year contract with Toronto. Santiago, who made $1.1 million with Philadelphia last season, hit .264 with 85 RBIs in 1996 and set career highs with 30 homers, 71 runs scored and 49 walks. He threw out 28 of 92 would-be base-stealers.

Parties sign labor deal

Players and owners formally ended their struggle after four years and two days by signing an agreement that will form the basis of their new labor contract.

Union head Donald Fehr signed the 12-page document at his office, then sent it by messenger three blocks to the offices of the owners’ Player Relations Committee, where management negotiator Randy Levine signed the deal.

Around the league

The Montreal Expos have been named major league baseball’s organization of the year for the third time in their history, the National League club announced. The award is presented to the team whose farm clubs have performed best during the year. Points are earned for such things as all-star selections and personal awards… . The Chicago Cubs signed left-handed pitcher Terry Mulholland to a one-year, $2.3 million contract. Mulholland, who split last season between Philadelphia and Seattle, will receive a $2 million salary to go with a $300,000 signing bonus… . Third baseman Todd Zeile agreed to a $9.5 million, three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers… . The Colorado Rockies signed free-agent catcher Kirt Manwaring to a two-year contract with an option for a third season.