Interesting matchup to follow: Chen/Darvish

[El Gordo]

Darvish 7.13 K/9, 111.P/GS, 1.81 WHIP, 3.57 ERA, 17.2 IP, $5.5 M
Chen: 7.79 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.38 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, $3.072 M

[weams]

Darvish 7.13 K/9, 111.P/GS, 1.81 WHIP, 3.57 ERA, 17.2 IP, $18.5 M
Chen: 7.79 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.38 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, $3.072 M

I say that is very inaccurate. A posting fee does need to be factored into the total compensation. His salary would be much higher if not for that.

[MarylandAaron]

It'd be cool if Chen and Darvish pitched against each other at some point this season.

[Ven6]

Darvish 7.13 K/9, 111.P/GS, 1.81 WHIP, 3.57 ERA, 17.2 IP, $5.5 M
Chen: 7.79 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.38 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, $3.072 M

That first start is really inflating Darvish's WHIP, ERA numbers.

It'll be interesting to revisit this and see what it looks like at the all-star break.

[NCRaven]

I say that is very in accurate. A posting fee does need to be factored into the total compensation. His salary would be much higher if not for that.

Agreed, the key issue is how much he is costing the team, not how much he necessarily puts in his own pocket. Chen was significantly less expensive to the Orioles than Darvish is to the Rangers. It's also interesting to note that Chen is only eleven months older than Darvish.

IIRC, Chen signed a three year deal. Is he entitled to free agency after that, or does he remain under team control and eligible for arbitration after this contract runs out?

[McLovin]

Agreed, the key issue is how much he is costing the team, not how much he necessarily puts in his own pocket. Chen was significantly less expensive to the Orioles than Darvish is to the Rangers. It's also interesting to note that Chen is only eleven months older than Darvish.

IIRC, Chen signed a three year deal. Is he entitled to free agency after that, or does he remain under team control and eligible for arbitration after this contract runs out?

3 year deal plus an option. Not sure if he's able to be a FA after that (Koji was)...

[Can_of_corn]

Agreed, the key issue is how much he is costing the team, not how much he necessarily puts in his own pocket. Chen was significantly less expensive to the Orioles than Darvish is to the Rangers. It's also interesting to note that Chen is only eleven months older than Darvish.

IIRC, Chen signed a three year deal. Is he entitled to free agency after that, or does he remain under team control and eligible for arbitration after this contract runs out?

Established players from overseas bargain for free agency after their initial deals expire.

I think Darvish will end up pretty good but will fall short of the hype due to pitch count issues. Regardless of what the Ranger's say, they are keeping track and won't let him hit 120 like he used to do in Japan.

[DrungoHazewood]

Agreed, the key issue is how much he is costing the team, not how much he necessarily puts in his own pocket. Chen was significantly less expensive to the Orioles than Darvish is to the Rangers. It's also interesting to note that Chen is only eleven months older than Darvish.

It'll be interesting, but Chen was far cheaper because he was injured last year and didn't pitch particularly well, and he doesn't have anything approaching Darvish's track record. Chen was a good, but not great pitcher in Japan, while Darvish was hands-down the best starter in the league for 4, 5, 6 years running. If Chen outpitches him it'll be an upset.

[mcinww0]

Chens been better so far (and way cheaper) but id be pleasantly shocked if that held up for the rest of this year and beyond. I think Chen's value took a hit because of his injuries, whereas Darvish was so dominant and flawless that he was perceived as having a higher upside and much higher floor. I think the high floor was extremely important in the amount of money the rangers laid our for him.

Duquette gave Wada more per year than Chen, so hopefully he can figure it out and contribute, too.

Also, how cool would it be if Chen and Darvirsh were competing for ROY at the end of the year?

[MrOrange82]

That first start is really inflating Darvish's WHIP, ERA numbers.

Not really. He gave up 9 hits and 4 walks in his second start (following up the 8 hits and four walks from his first). In his most recent start, he walked five batters, but only gave up two hits in 6.1 innings.

He'll be interesting to follow over the course of the year, but if he keeps putting runners on at such a ridiculous clip, he's going to get lit up sooner or later.

[Stotle]

Darvish 8.3 K/9, 113.0 P/GS, 1.58 WHIP, 2.42 ERA, 26.0 IP, ERA+ 186
Chen: 7.8 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.39 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, ERA+ 161

[OFFNY]

I say that is very inaccurate. A posting fee does need to be factored into the total compensation. His salary would be much higher if not for that.

........ "Honey, did you buy the book of stamps that we need ???" ....... "No. I left my pocketbook at work yesterday. Just cut me a check for $13 Million, and I'll get right on it, though."

[Fan4Life]

Darvish 8.3 K/9, 113.0 P/GS, 1.58 WHIP, 2.42 ERA, 26.0 IP, ERA+ 186
Chen: 7.8 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.39 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, ERA+ 161

I watched most of the Texas / NYY game after the Orioles game. They posted a stat around the 5th inning that showed Darvish giving up 4 runs in the first inning of his first start and only 2 since (21 + innings at that point). He looked much better against the Yankees than did Chen. And he should, he is a better pitcher. But not $14m better.... yet.

[El Gordo]

Darvish 8.3 K/9, 113.0 P/GS, 1.58 WHIP, 2.42 ERA, 26.0 IP, ERA+ 186
Chen: 7.8 K/9, 98.7 P/GS, 1.39 WHIP, 2.60 ERA 17.1 IP, ERA+ 161

Darvish was impressive, but let's see see how Chen does in his next start.

[socalbirdfan]

Established players from overseas bargain for free agency after their initial deals expire.

I think Darvish will end up pretty good but will fall short of the hype due to pitch count issues. Regardless of what the Ranger's say, they are keeping track and won't let him hit 120 like he used to do in Japan.

Did you watch the game last night? 119 pitches and he would have finished the ninth if a runner didn't reach on a hit. The Rangers philosophy on pitch count is not the same as the O's.