Abraham: Sox Should Take A Look at Chien-Ming Wang

by Randy Booth on Dec 13, 2009 6:48 PM EST in News

It's been tossed around in the comments, but now the Globe's Peter Abraham suggests the Red Sox take a look at one-time Yankee Chien-Ming Wang, who was non-tendered by the Yankees yesterday:

Based on my conversations with Wang, I believe the foot injury led to the shoulder injury. When Wang reported to spring training last season, the Yankees would not allow him to run as part of his conditioning. The strength in his legs, which helped him throw a 95-mph sinker, vanished and the shoulder injury was the result of compensating.

Now that the shoulder is repaired, Wang is hopeful of returning to the majors by late May or early June. Shoulder injuries are tricky and this is the second time Wang has needed surgery. But if he can come back to even 80 percent of what he once was, he would be a helpful piece.

Then there this: Wang is not leaving the Yankees on particularly good terms and would be motivated to prove them wrong.

I kind of like the revenge angle to all of this, but I just don't know if the Sox should go after Wang. He'll probably get a contract from another club to compete for a spot in a rotation. The Red Sox just can't give him any kind of deal like that at this point.

Since Wang is a groundball pitcher, he'd benefit from an improved Red Sox defense behind him. He doesn't give up too many home runs either, which would be great for Fenway. But is he actually healthy? And how much money will his agent want for this new free agent?

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Cannot hurt I gues

but I wish we would spend all the $$ on a more reliable option.

Miguel Cabrera IS the solution to our problems.
Release Jason Varitek before ST is over !
Do not pay Jason Bay !!
Trade Buchholz !!!

by gizmosandy on Dec 13, 2009 7:24 PM EST reply actions

No

No..we shouldn’t.

by Justin_Bobo on Dec 13, 2009 7:29 PM EST reply actions

I would absolutely not be opposed to him on a minor league deal

He’ll probably be rejoining Torre with the Dodgers though.

DFA Beckett

by South Coast Ghost on Dec 13, 2009 7:57 PM EST reply actions

He won't take a minor league deal so that's out

MFY offered him a minor league contract but he wanted guaranteed money. I think you’re right about the dodgers.

by wolf9309 on Dec 13, 2009 8:01 PM EST up reply actions

Then, no.

Enjoy Mannywood.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

by Bloggy on Dec 14, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions

Minor league deal? Sure

But someone will probably guarantee him some money.

USG

by Ben Buchanan on Dec 13, 2009 7:58 PM EST reply actions

I like it if he's cheap

I know he wants guaranteed money, if it was something under what Smoltz got- maybe $3 mill+ incentives, I think it could be a good gamble. Partly, he probably won’t be ready when the year starts, and we’re one of the teams that don’t need him at the beginning since we have Wake, and then he can step in when wake falters if healthy. I like him a lot as a pitcher when healthy and I think Fenway would be a great spot for him. I also really mostly like the revenge thing.

As long as it’s low commitment, so if he doesn’t work out, we can put him on waivers and he can go destroy NL competition for the last few months.

My guess is we go after him or Duchscherer, and I have reservations about how his stress issues would play out at fenway.

by wolf9309 on Dec 13, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions

Duscherer

I feel like he’s faced down some of the anxiety issues. I mean the fact that he’s talking about it openly is a good sign. I’d sign him.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 13, 2009 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

I’d take him over Wang any day.

by Justin_Bobo on Dec 14, 2009 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

I know he's faced the depression issues

I just haven’t heard him talking about the anxiety issues, which worry me. I may have just missed it.

The worrisome part for me is that he started as an 8th inning reliever, but had enough trouble with the high pressure situations and the uncertanity of how the game would go that he couldn’t handle it, so they converted him to a starter so he’d know when he was going to come in. Now he obviously performed great as a starter until sidelined with injuries/depression, but I’m just a little skeptical of how he would go jumping from Oakland to a high-pressure situation like Fenway- and also taking the playoffs into account.

Now personally, I love his stuff. If he is over his issues, he’d probably be the best #5 starter out there, and I’d love to give him a shot- these are just the reasons I don’t feel like him at Fenway is any more of a sure thing than Wang. Unlike Wang, I’m sure he can have a successful MLB career after this, just not sure the Sox are the best for him.

by wolf9309 on Dec 14, 2009 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

Wang

I’d take a Smoltz/Penny-type incentive based deal. Pending a favorable bill of health, of course. It’s about time we picked up a Yankee cast-off who can stick it to them. He was excellent before he got hurt.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 13, 2009 8:41 PM EST up reply actions

He is not even worth $3 million.

Sign him to a minor league deal, and see how he does. His major league career may be over.

by superferret on Dec 13, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

No I disagree

they guy is a pretty great pitcher when he’s healthy and a righty groundball pitcher who doesn’t give up many home runs is pretty much exactly what Fenway needs.

My biggest worry is more of if he isn’t ready to pitch till June, after he rehabs and is ready for MLB it’s gonna be pretty late in the year already- other than that, I think he’s worth a shot.

I’d probably take Duch over him because I feel like he’sa bit safer. Bedard I don’t trust, though he’s a great pitcher, because his injury history is just a little too frightening for me.

by wolf9309 on Dec 14, 2009 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

It depends on the alternatives

The Sox already have 5 in the rotation but room for one more with Wakefield as the 5th. Assuming the incumbent 5 stay put, Wang would be Plan E behind Halladay, Lackey, Bedard and Duch.

by mg050369 on Dec 13, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions

No, don't look at him...

Wang is not the same pitcher as he was in 2006/2007. He screwed his shoulder, because his ankle and foot was still weak from his broken foot in 2008. I am more concern about his foot than his shoulder.

If he can’t push off, just ignore him. He isn’t the same pitcher anymore.

by superferret on Dec 13, 2009 10:19 PM EST reply actions

Any other scouting reports on Major Baseball Players...

for us?

You do realize people recover from injuries right? Remember when Hideki Matsui was “done”? How did that work out in the WS?

I would be 1000% for Wang here, if he is somewhat cheap.

by totheights on Dec 14, 2009 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

Matsui is done in the field...

Wang injured his shoulder because he was compensating for not pushing off his foot. He is out till May/June, and no one knows how well he can pitch or if his mechanics can change. I think taking a chance on Dontrelle Willis is as equal as taking a chance on Wang. We are not talking about the Wang of 2006/2007, but Wang who had two major surgeries, and hasn’t shown to recover from his broken foot.

I never said that Matsui was “done”, I always thought he was scariest MFY hitter in the a lineup of scary hitters. Matsui can only DH, which limits the teams that can use his services.

My “scouting report” on Wang was watching one inning of his pitching at the beginning of the season at Coor Park East, where he could get out of the bottom of the first, IIRC. He also wasn’t pushing off, which made his pitches meatballs across the plate.

by superferret on Dec 14, 2009 4:07 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, when he was hurt, he sucked.

That was a year ago. He’s worth taking a look at to see if his foot and shoulder have healed.

Maybe he’ll never be the Wang of old, but it’s a little hasty IMO to write a guy off based on a couple of starts when he was all banged up.

Plus, I think watching the Herald, OTM, Eck, etc. getting creative with the use of “Wang” is worth a million alone.

Manny ain't the only bad man.

by tommy.otm on Dec 14, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions

There is a difference between healing and performing....

If Wang can throw a consistent 95mph sinker, sure hire him, but he has two major surgeries in two years, he is not going to go back to the same pitching mechanics before he broke his foot in 2008. He needs to be in rehab The Sox wouldn’t be getting the Wang of 2006/2007. There is going to be huge amount of work on Wang, and even then he may just be pretty pedestrian after a bunch of rehab.

by superferret on Dec 14, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

Yea

Yea and while we are at it lets go get Byung Hyun Kim too

by cnubsbl16 on Dec 13, 2009 10:59 PM EST reply actions

Please tell me you aren't comparing Wang to Kim

Please?

Not even remotely close.

by totheights on Dec 14, 2009 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

Thats Sarcasm for me saying dont take a look at him….hes done. He had a few good years but thats it. After surgery and everything he wont be able to pitch effectively (especially in the AL East)

by cnubsbl16 on Dec 14, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

Thats Sarcasm for me saying dont take a look at him….hes done. He had a few good years but thats it. After surgery and everything he wont be able to pitch effectively (especially in the AL East)

by cnubsbl16 on Dec 14, 2009 1:22 PM EST reply actions