A Wang worth the wait
I loved the snow when I was 12.
Now, not so much. Enough is enough.
Chien-Ming Wang is reportedly deciding between two offers on a 2010 contract, one of which is Washington. Wang turns 30 at the end of March, and in 104 big league starts is 55-26 with a 4.16 ERA. A huge winning percentage, .679, but with the Yankees, so weigh it accordingly.
A two-time 19-game winner with sub-4.00 ERA's both years, Wang has made just 24 starts over the past two seasons. In '08 he injured his foot running the bases in an interleague game against the Astros, an injury that had Yankee fans coast-to-coast cursing the National League's lack of a DH rule. Last year he had arthroscopic surgery on his throwing shoulder in July, and was done for the year.
Wang is at an age where he could very likely recapture the effectiveness he showed prior to his injuries 2006-08. The Washington community would likely provide a comfort level for Wang, given its international flavor, and with Wang's top big league salary at $5 million last year, he may be looking for a small guarantee with a lot of performance incentives - not unlike the deal that Erik Bedard just signed with Seattle, also coming off of an injury that will leave him unable to throw until May or later.
The Nationals may feel that Wang is worth waiting for. He's rumored to be making his decision in the next 7-10 days, and sources report that the Yankees have turned the corner on Wang.
On another front, I don't know Farid Rushdi, but he's written an interesting column on bleacherreport.com about the 2010 Nationals. Farid sees the Nats winning around 75 games (I'm in the same range, roughly 75-78 wins), with an outside shot at break-even. He sees the rotation as being Lannan, Marquis, Olsen, Stammen and Martin, with Strasburg joining the quintet later in the season. (He predicts a possible trade of Olsen to make room.)
Farid sees a bullpen of Capps (closer) and Bruney, Burnett, Bergmann, Clippard and Walker. He makes some timely points, and it's a good read.
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Categories (click for archive)Phil Wood |
Talking of "a small guarantee with a lot of performance incentives," haven't the Nats already set a pattern with Scott Olsen? Could indeed be the way to go with Wang.
Phil,
I would also recommend Danny Knobler's column on CBSSportsline.com. Even though I know we have some naysayers in the DC area there is really a lot of buzz about the Nats this spring. I am looking forward to Viera in March.
LOL! Whenever the Nationals are publicly linked to a player, that means they will have the second best offer. Phil, tell me I am wrong on this one if you can. You going to write another "The Titanic is Not Sinking" piece when Wang signs somewhere else? ======================= They were publicly linked to Marquis. They were publicly linked to Rodriguez. Last year they were publicly linked to Beimel. Try again.
You try again on your arrogance! MLB Trade Rumors is the site to follow rumors in baseball. And according to MLBTR, Pudge wasn't linked to the Nationals until he was signed. Pudge was instead linked to the Rays, Giants, Mets and Royals.
As for Biemel same thing. According to MLBTR Biemel was deciding between the Padres and Oakland with the Dodgers as a sleeper destination on March 14th. Then on the 18th he signed with the Nationals and Shawn Hill was cut.
As for Jason Marquis, he was plan B, after Jon Garland. Plan B's are not what we are talking about Phil. You and I both know that the Nationals can get the Plan B's.
All I am saying, is that when the Nationals are "interested" in a Plan A player, they usually don't get them. You can also reference Texiera, Mark, in case you forgot!