O's aggressively going after Chen Wei-Yin

[Can_of_corn]

I think Wada could really surprise some people. His stats are absolutely sick. I suspect he'll lock in a rotation spot with ease. Meanwhile, adding Chen would be terrific, too. But we still would need to add another guy, a veteran of the MLB, I would hope. I love these international gambles - and they are essentially rolling the dice - but I really hope DD goes further, and adds the best midline starter we can via FA. You might wind up moving Arrietta to the bullpen/closer spot. That would be a great option - it would mean we had a real, MLB starting rotation for once.

I think that Wada, if things break well for him and the O's, is going to be like Koji as a starter. He will falter going through the order a third time. I think he might be good, but I expect 5-6 inning starts.

I say this because his fastball lacks natural velocity and movement, he relies on deception, that will be less effective upon multiple viewings. He also doesn't have a deep repertoire, he is mostly fb/slider with a 5 show me change and a underutilized forkball.

[Bradysburns]

I think that Wada, if things break well for him and the O's, is going to be like Koji as a starter. He will falter going through the order a third time. I think he might be good, but I expect 5-6 inning starts.

I say this because his fastball lacks natural velocity and movement, he relies on deception, that will be less effective upon multiple viewings. He also doesn't have a deep repertoire, he is mostly fb/slider with a 5 show me change and a underutilized forkball.

Thanks for the insights. I didn't realize the lack of movement on the fastball. I wasn't so concerned with the velo. But that AND a lack of movement could be tough. Are you seeing Bruce Chen Part II here? Not raking on Chen - he had a perfectly mediocre MLB career. But... I'm hoping we get more than that out of Wada...

The Koji comparison makes sense in terms of some statistical categories. But I have more confidence in Wada as a starter, as Koji had already been used mostly in the pen by the time we got him, as I recall. And I think a lot of his issues had to do with wear and tear from being inserted back into a rotation, plus the humid weather here in good olde Maryland.

[Capn Vivi]

The article introducing Wada made a note of an interesting detail regarding his acquisition:

While's Wada's exact role has not been determined, he will add depth to an Orioles pitching staff in dire need of an upgrade.

Sounds like the FO isn't certain yet if Wada can/will be a starter.

[scOtt]

The article introducing Wada made a note of an interesting detail regarding his acquisition:

Sounds like the FO isn't certain yet if Wada can/will be a starter.

Sounds like they didn't promise him a spot, so we got dat goin' for us. Which is good.

[GoldGlove21]

Sounds like they didn't promise him a spot, so we got dat goin' for us. Which is good.

If he doesn't start for us than we signed the guy to a 2/$8.2M contract? If he doesn't start than that is another $4M relief option. You would think that the Orioles have to have all of their eggs in the starter basket or this move ends up making little sense IMO.

[scOtt]

If he doesn't start for us than we signed the guy to a 2/$8.2M contract? If he doesn't start than that is another $4M relief option. You would think that the Orioles have to have all of their eggs in the starter basket or this move ends up making little sense IMO.

My point was he's welcome to try for a starter's job. But if not I don't mind 4 for a reliever. Koji worked out pretty well for 4.

[clapdiddy]

If he doesn't start for us than we signed the guy to a 2/$8.2M contract? If he doesn't start than that is another $4M relief option. You would think that the Orioles have to have all of their eggs in the starter basket or this move ends up making little sense IMO.

One thing that helps if all this plays out is that he didn't cost a draft pick. Maybe he will be our swing man who can start 10 - 15 games during the course of the season and relieve the rest of the time. Having a guy like that as starting depth isn't a bad thing.

[Floater]

I just got off working 17 hours straight and don't feel like reading through 5 pages worth of stuff to see if this has been said, but his wiki kind of scared me..."Chen lost some fastball velocity during the 2011 season (sitting 87-91 mph) with a leg injury, and it made him not as dominant as before."

[csgordos]

I just got off working 17 hours straight and don't feel like reading through 5 pages worth of stuff to see if this has been said, but his wiki kind of scared me..."Chen lost some fastball velocity during the 2011 season (sitting 87-91 mph) with a leg injury, and it made him not as dominant as before."

Actually this would make me less scared. Most leg injuries are easier to rehab with less potential to be recurrent for a pitcher vs. a shoulder or elbow problem. On a side note with the Orioles trying to accumulate extra MLB type pitching, even though it is 5th starter material, does it make it more likely that they trade some of their young unproven pitching for other holes. Or does it allow them to send some of these young fringe players to AAA with Griffin to work some stuff out and potentially buy the Orioels another year with them before FA? Another year closer to Machado being able to contribute, just a thought.

[Can_of_corn]

Thanks for the insights. I didn't realize the lack of movement on the fastball. I wasn't so concerned with the velo. But that AND a lack of movement could be tough. Are you seeing Bruce Chen Part II here? Not raking on Chen - he had a perfectly mediocre MLB career. But... I'm hoping we get more than that out of Wada...

The Koji comparison makes sense in terms of some statistical categories. But I have more confidence in Wada as a starter, as Koji had already been used mostly in the pen by the time we got him, as I recall. And I think a lot of his issues had to do with wear and tear from being inserted back into a rotation, plus the humid weather here in good olde Maryland.

I expect Wada to be healthier then Koji, I think the humidity stuff was overblown.

I don't feel that he won't be physically capable of going more then 5-6 I just think that as batters see him and make adjustments he will be less effective. He doesn't have a quality 3rd pitch and a well placed fastball and slider will only take you so far into the game.

[Roll Tide]

•The Orioles are also said to be interested in Wei-Ying Chen but they may not be a first priority because he has the same agent (Alan Nero) as Wada -- he may want to give other teams a shot, like the Minnesota Twins. An unnamed MLB source is also quoted as saying that Chen would probably go to a team other than the Orioles.

I wonder why he is not a first priority as he wont cost a player like Jurrjens would.

http://yakyubaka.com/?s=orioles

[mcgraw238]

I wonder why he is not a first priority as he wont cost a player like Jurrjens would.

http://yakyubaka.com/?s=orioles

I read that as the O's are not Chen's first priority.

[Roll Tide]

I read that as the O's are not Chen's first priority.

Yeah you're probably right ... Could have been clearer though... I think the Orioles should show him the money and make the decision for him. Give them both early spots in the rotation. Chen at #2 and Wada at #3.

[33rdst]

I read that as the O's are not Chen's first priority.

Yea I read it the same way. It's too bad. You'd think we would have a pretty good shot given that he has the same agent as Wada. It's hard not to get down on this franchise. It seems we can't get the most simple things accomplished.

[allstar1579]

Yea I read it the same way. It's too bad. You'd think we would have a pretty good shot given that he has the same agent as Wada. It's hard not to get down on this franchise. It seems we can't get the most simple things accomplished.

Well, if Chen signs here it lessens the chance of Wada working into the rotation, so it'd be helping his boy out to sign somewhere else.