The Nationals are on the lookout for starting pitching now that Jordan Zimmermann and Doug Fister are out of the picture and their hunt has led them to at least consider one of the best options still available. Free agent Wei-Yin Chen is on the Nationals’ radar, a source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com, though that source isn’t sure whether Washington would give him the five-year deal that he is seeking.
Every team in the league would obviously love to add a solid starter like Chen, but his price tag has so far left him dangling on the market without a ton of buzz as to where he might land. Last week, it was reported that the Scott Boras client is seeking a five-year, $100MM commitment. Earlier this offseason, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes projected that Chen would land a five-year deal worth $80MM. Chen is – at least for now – aiming a whole lot higher.
The Nationals were recently said to have some interest in right-hander Mike Leake and GM Mike Rizzo even confirmed that an offer was made. However, the price tag was apparently too rich for their blood and their interest quickly cooled off. Overall, Rizzo indicated that the club hasn’t been very active on the market for starters. The Nats already have a top three of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez plus Tanner Roark and Joe Ross in the backend. Beyond them, youngsters like A.J. Cole and Lucas Giolito knocking on the door.
The 30-year-old Chen 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. Chen turned down a qualifying offer from the Orioles earlier this offseason, so signing him would require a team to forfeit its first eligible draft pick. That’s a notable disadvantage for Chen compared to quality pitchers remaining on the free agent market such as Mike Leake, Scott Kazmir, and Kenta Maeda. Late last month, Tim took an in-depth look at Chen and speculated on the type of deal he could land.
Right now, there isn’t an obvious landing spot for Chen. Cardinals appeared to be a solid fit for a pitcher like Chen but GM John Mozeliak recently said that the team is unlikely to make a “dynamic” signing at this stage of the offseason. The Giants were known to have some level of interest in Chen, but they are almost definitely out on high-priced pitching after adding Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto this winter.
I like Chen, but 5/100M plus a draft pick is way too much.
I’d rather got 5/80M to Leake.
Chen’s stuff isn’t anything special, his FIP is notably high, and hes never topped 200IP.
I saw Chen pitch twice last year, and I think he’s better than Gio Gonzalez or Leake. He has done well in the AL East.
Never understood y they didnt make more effort to retain zimmerman.
Chen n the NL East will be better than Zimmerman.
Could end up being the most expensive rotation in baseball
It already is
The Giants are.
MadBum – 10M
Peavy – 15M
Cain – 21M
Cueto – 22.5M AAV
Shark – 18M AAV
86.5M
Chen would be a good fit for a lot of contenders, he’s worth 20 million a year.
What does Chen provide that Kazmir doesn’t? Both are 6 inning pitchers. Kashmir is projected at $12MM/year while Chen is projected at $20MM/year, plus a draft pick. I just don’t see the value Chen adds.
Good point, but pitchers are outlier and think Chen has a better chance of staying healthy.
With all the question marks on the Yankee pitching staff, I think Chen would be a good fit for them also.
I hope Chen sends buck Showalter a nice gift after he signs. The guy had to be hidden against certain teams like the blue jays, and routinely had to be given extra rest. Not a $20m/yr pitcher. Teams should be wary.