SARASOTA, Fla. - The Marlins reportedly have reached an agreement with left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on a five-year contract, making him the Orioles' first free agent to leave the organization.
Outfielder Gerardo Parra quickly became the second, reportedly agreeing to a three-year, $27.5 million contract with the Rockies.
FOXSports.com first reported that Chen's deal included a vesting player option for a sixth year. Multiple reports have Chen receiving approximately $80 million over five years, and the vesting option increases the value to $96 million. However, the deal includes an opt-out clause after two years.
I wrote earlier this winter that Chen was seeking a five-year deal worth $100 million. The Orioles had interest in bringing him back, but not under those terms. And they refuse to include opt-outs in their contract proposals.
Orioles officials aren't surprised that Chen is headed to Miami. They know that the Marlins have done their homework on the left-hander, checking his medicals extensively before negotiations heated up this week.
Chen proved to be a real bargain for the Orioles, who signed him to a three-year deal with a club option totaling $15.466 million. He went 46-32 with a 3.72 ERA in 117 starts and placed fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in the American League in 2012.
Parra batted .237/.268/.357 with 12 doubles, five home and 20 RBIs in 55 games after the Orioles acquired him from the Brewers on July 31 for pitcher Zach Davies.
Manager Buck Showalter was asked earlier today if he was surprised that none of his free agents had signed with other clubs.
"I bet that changes," he replied.
The Orioles re-signed reliever Darren O'Day to a four-year, $31 million deal, and catcher Matt Wieters took their $15.8 million qualifying offer. They've made a seven-year offer to first baseman Chris Davis worth $150 million when factoring in deferred money.
Outfielder/first baseman Steve Pearce also remains on the market, but the Orioles haven't expressed much interest in re-signing him.
The Orioles will receive a compensatory draft pick for losing Chen. The Marlins' first-round pick is protected.
The Rockies have a surplus of outfielders and the Orioles remain in trade talks with them. However, they won't part with Kevin Gausman, which has been a deal-breaker in the past.
Meanwhile, the Orioles don't have any plans to hold tryouts during their minicamp. They could set up a meeting with free agent pitcher Gavin Floyd later this winter, but it won't happen this week at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
Showalter flew out of Sarasota this afternoon and will serve as a speaker Wednesday at an autism awareness event at Towson University. Pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti pretty much run the minicamp anyway.
The Orioles announced their minor league coaching staffs. The most notable change is former Double-A Bowie hitting coach Keith Bodie being named Single-A Frederick manager. Single-A Delmarva hitting coach Howie Clark moves up to Bowie in the same role.
Orlando Gomez, formerly the Keys manager, moves down to the Gulf Coast League team.
Check Steve Melewski's blog for the full story.
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