Nationals among leaders for Wang
You might want to hold onto those pitching staff projections just a little longer. According to a source familiar with the situation, the Nationals are one of the teams that's "way ahead of the pack" in pursuit of free-agent pitcher Chien-Ming Wang.
The 29-year-old Taiwanese pitcher, who won 19 games for the Yankees in both 2006 and 2007 but made just 24 starts in 2008-09 because of a variety of injuries, is ahead of schedule in his return from shoulder surgery. He is throwing without pain will be able to throw off a mound in a week to 10 days, which could be the final sign for interested teams the right-hander is healthy.
But according to the source, the Nationals have already made an aggressive effort to evaluate the pitcher.
"If you know (general manager) Mike Rizzo at all, you know they're ahead of the pack," the source said. "If there was a checklist of 20 things teams are doing, the Nationals are way ahead in their study."
The source could not say if the Nationals had made an offer to Wang, but made it clear they're in serious competition for his services.
The Dodgers are a serious possibility because of Wang's history with manager Joe Torre while both were with the Yankees, the source said, but the Nationals "are right up there."
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Categories (click for archive)Ben Goessling | Nationals News |
Ben;
Unless Wang ready to slot into the #3 position starting in April I would take a back seat, however....., it is certainly tempting to drop a few dimes on a potential 15+ game winner who could actually be ready to go. The irony of it all, Wang would be a team mate of the "face of the franchise" who on Fathers Day 2006 sent Mr. Wang and the Yankess to the showers! Here's the rub for the "fanatics", we have been down this road all winter long, nobody wants to hear the Nats came close or were high on the list, yada,yada, yada!
This would be a risk for the Nationals, but it could also be a great signing for the them. It would turn a good off-season into a great one. He won't be much help in 2010, but he would be a terrific addition to the rotation for 2011 when Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman move up to join Marquis and Lannan. It would be a rotation that could compete with the Phillies.
2011 is shaping up to be a great season!
Dang, there goes my shot at the Doritos prize. Interesting developments, though.
When healthy, Wang has more talent than any Nats pitcher not named Strasburg. If the Nats can sign him to a two year deal it'd be fantastic.
Make it happen Rizzo!