Report: Nats give Wang one-year, $2M deal
Pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and the Washington Nationals have reached
an agreement on a $2 million, one-year contract, a person familiar
with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The deal includes the chance to earn $3 million in
performance bonuses, the person said Tuesday, speaking on condition
of anonymity because the agreement was not yet final.
Wang’s contract includes a clause that will pay him a
$250,000 bonus once he is added to the active roster, a major
league source told FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
The source also said that the Nationals, Reds and Indians all
made major-league offers to Wang this offseason. Cincinnati and
Cleveland had pulled their offers by the time Wang came to terms
with the Nationals. The Dodgers and Rays showed interest but were
never serious contenders to sign him, the source added.
Wang, a right-hander who turns 30 on March 31, had spent his
entire five-year major league career with the Yankees, who allowed
him to become a free agent in December when they failed to offer a
2010 contract.
He made $5 million last year, when he was 1-6 with a 9.64 ERA
and his season was cut short by shoulder surgery on July 29. He is
not expected to be able to pitch until sometime between April and
June.
Wang was a 19-game winner in 2006 and 2007, starting New
York's postseason openers in both years, but his career was
sidetracked when he severely injured his right foot while running
the bases at Houston on June 15, 2008.
He missed the final 3 1/2 months of the 2008 season, then
allowed 23 runs in six innings over three starts when he returned
last season. He went back on the disabled list, returned in late
May to make three relief appearances and six starts before his
season was ended by shoulder pain. Dr. James Andrews repaired a
tear in the right shoulder capsule.
Also Tuesday, Washington designated left-hander Doug Slaten
for assignment to open a roster spot for second baseman Adam
Kennedy, whose contract was finalized Friday.