The Giants and Cardinals are both interested in left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who calls the Royals another possible fit and says the Nationals may take a look at Chen if they don’t sign Mike Leake (a deal between the Nats and Leake is said to be unlikely at this point).
Chen, 30, is coming off a nice four-year run with the Orioles which was highlighted by a particularly strong two-year platform in 2014-15. Over the past two seasons, he’s logged a 3.44 ERA with 6.9 K/9 against 1.8 BB/9 to go along with a 40.8 percent ground-ball rate in 377 innings of work. A move to any of the clubs listed could benefit Chen’s production, as he’s struggled with home runs in the American League East (career 1.24 HR/9). The Giants and Royals, in particular, play in spacious parks that tend to suppress home runs.
St. Louis offers, in my eyes, the best mix of both need and financial capability of the listed clubs. The Giants have already inked Jeff Samardzija — though they’re still connected to other arms and could bring in a second starter — while the Royals have a number of needs and have never spent the type of money which Chen figures to command. (MLBTR projected a five-year, $80MM contract.) Then again, Kansas City has a good relationship with Chen’s agent, Scott Boras, and the reigning World Champs could use a boost in the rotation.
Johnny Cueto remains the top arm on the market, but Chen is joined by Leake and Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda as one of the more intriguing arms remaining in free agency. To this point, he’s also been linked to the Cubs, whereas a return to the Orioles has been deemed unlikely. Earlier today, MLBTR’s Zach Links was on hand when Boras held court at Nashville’s Winter Meetings. Boras characterized Chen’s market as “strong” and, as Zach noted, made one of the types of comments we’ve come to expect of Boras over the years, noting that Chen’s ERA within the AL East over the past two seasons is lower than that of David Price.
Please Giants… get this done! If we can have Chen and one of Gordon/Heyward/Cespedes, I think it would be a solid off season!
It’s already been said they will only get a pitcher OR an outfielder, and that Bochy prefers the pitcher.
The Giants can probably manage with Blanco starting in left, and maybe give Parker or Williamson, maybe even Belt some chances to mix it up a little.
Or, they can trade for an OF. I’d rather them sign someone like Chen over signing an OF.
It’s an even year. The Giants can manage anything.
I hate when Giants fans say sign this pitcher AND Heyward. Like the dude could get 200mil, are you delusional?
They could afford both if they give heyward a Stanton-like contract. Back loaded with an opt out, but it seems unlikely.
It’s not just unlikely, it’s not going to happen. There’s no reason for Heyward to accept a deal like that. He’ll get a multitude of deals that carry way more money and have a better structure,
Stanton’s deal was structured to bring him through his arbitration years, and pay him a lot in his FA years… much like Brandon Crawford’s new deal.
i hope the giants sign heyward and gorden, then trade belt and pence to st louis
I’d love to see the Giants get Chen and Gordon but if they don’t get Gordon I feel that Heyward and Cespedes will be too rich for their blood. So they’ll pass on them.
Sign him, Mozeliak!
Sign him, Cardinals!
Cardinals need to get moving. Quit waiting around on Heyward get a pitcher and trade for CarGo. Cards need a quality starter that can go 200 innings and a impact middle of the order bat not a 6 hole hitter with no pop like Heyward.
Amen!!!
Agreed. Love his D but watching him ground out to second gets old.
st louis could get tim Lincecum and justin morneau for less than $80 million.
and still sign alex gordon with the leftover money
Why would the Cards want Morneau? Adams and Moss would likely out produce him for a lot less.
get rid of moss
This would be a good move for the Cardinals, you can never have enough pitching. Plus he’s a lefty and would slot nicely into the rotation. The longer Heyward goes unsigned the less likely the Cards get him I think. Sign Maeda as well. I’d rather have 2 good pitchers than 1 good outfielder. Any contract over 5 years starts to worry me unless it’s Yadi, give him a 20 year extension!
So with Maeda they will start with a six-man rotation?
I’ve been saying all along that Chen would be the best fit for the Cardinals considering his price tag, and his resume. Would also allow them to sign a Alex Gordon or make a trade for Cargo and possible add a bullpen arm all for under the asking price for Heyward. Just do something MO..