The lovechild by-product of two mercinary soldier, Jesus Fernandez was dragged around the world in his early youth from one skirmish to the next, often spending long nights alone in middle of the deep jungle while awaiting the return of his parents from the days battles. His early childhood experience, and eventual immersion into the Dominican lifestyle breed a deep sense of 3 things in young Jesus. 1) the love of baseball where, particularly the art of pitching, 2)the love of family stability and "a place to settle down" and 3) a love of the crisp cool autumn nights of the great northwest where his nightmare visions of bombs exploding in deep, dense jungle awaken him in a ball of sweat.
These 3 values lead Jesus to sign his first professional contract w/ the Seattle Dawgs, and while he found great personal success that first season, he became wary of the constant mumors running thru the club house about franchise relocation. These rumors, eventuall proved true and lead Jesus to the free agent market and a 5 year $105 millon contract with Mexico City. While returning back to the heat and humidity of his youth, Jesus welcomed the opportunity to settle into a winning franchise in a city he could raise his family for life. Things went well for Jesus, multiple trips to the postseason, multiple all star games and an ever expanding bank account. Meanwhile, his old franchise Seattle had relocated 3 additional times, passing thru the hands of several owners intent on reaping the dollars of new fan bases while putting no product on the actual diamond.
However, season 5 found Jesus once again questioning his place within his own organization. With the devaluation of the peso, Mexico City's owner was forced to sell off his franchise to Jacksonville. While a return to the american school system was a welcome return for Jesus' kids, he grew increasingly resentful having to relocate all of his furnishings from his palacial estate in the Mexican tropics. At the same time, on the other coast, back up in the great northwest, his former franchise Seattle had finally settled into comfortable relationship with the great folks of Salem, OR. On top of the outstanding fan base, the new ownership had put together a commitment to winning unseen in franchise history. The last straw came when in the deciding game 3 of the divisional playoff series b/w Jacksonville and Salem, Jesus saw the boys of Salem whip him to pieces. He finally figured out, if you can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em.
Jesus' agent started to feed rumors to local reporters and greased the wheels for a return to the great northwest, and the defending WS champs Salem Witch Doctors. Jesus even agreed to a 3 year, 24 millon contract prior to shipping out for his final home and destination. Aside from the $15 millon Jacksonville saves on the fully gruntled Jesus' contract this season, they also pick up 3 key pieces to their future: Phil Gibson, Ramiro Vargas and Jim Wallace.
Ramiro is the key to this deal, previously ranked as one of the top prospects in the AL West, Ramiro is a former $20 millon IFA bonus baby, featuring great stamina and control along with the best slider in the minors. Gibson, while not as eletric as Vargas is another innings eater with about league average stuff and still quite affordable. Finally, Jim Wallace is a former 23rd round diamond in the rough w/ immension power and a great batting eye. Adam Dunn is his likely comp after so many minor league moon shots and wind mill power generating strikeouts.
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