(Update) Orioles reach agreement w/ Taiwanese LHP Wei-Yin Chen

[Sports Guy]

At the very least, he should be able to ve valuable in the pen.

3/12(or less) is too much for a reliever(unless he is lights out) but its not some drastic overpay either.

So, this has to be a contract you are in favor of.

[Sports Guy]

In another words...

FROWN OF APPROVAL!

What are you talking about?

[TakebackOPACY]

Well, didn't the Korean pitcher (blanking on his name) have a legitimate liver issue or something? Plus, didn't he say he wanted to stay in Korea? I'm not worried about the physical, honestly.

Sure. I'm not either. And I don't think Tony Soprano (who made the initial comment about it) is, particularly, either. But it's the O's. Ya never know. That quote I gave was from a NYTimes article after the O's had a deal with Jeremy Burnitz and then lost him over the language surrounding the physical.

[HokieO's]

Good news.

Even if he stinks, I am very excited by Double D's foray into the Foreign market. I'll take my chances with these guys over the washed up MLB vets we normally pick up.

Agreed.

[JanJaap]

Anyone knows what the Nippon Profession Baseball League compares to, AAA?

[BaltimoreTerp]

Haha.. nothing, it's the solemn frown of approval. You can picture him saying, "not bad, Orioles, not bad."

No? Not seein' it?

DeNiro does it better.

[Roll Tide]

Anyone knows what the Nippon Profession Baseball League compares to, AAA?

I'd bet closer to AA ...But Im guessing

[TakebackOPACY]

Anyone knows what the Nippon Profession Baseball League compares to, AAA?

That's the closest comparison you'll get. I think you'd have to call it perhaps a shade above AAA overall (debatable, of course). But NPB has a typically wider talent range than one level in the American pro system.

[SammyBirdland]

Congratulations on your contract, Chen. You may now proceed to tear your labrum.

[Lucky Jim]

That's the closest comparison you'll get. I think you'd have to call it perhaps a shade above AAA overall (debatable, of course). But NPB has a typically wider talent range than one level in the American pro system.

And that second part creates the real variable component.

[Roll Tide]

Congratulations on your contract, Chen. You may now proceed to tear your labrum.

You forgot the

Please the Orioles need some good luck for a change.

[JanJaap]

That's the closest comparison you'll get. I think you'd have to call it perhaps a shade above AAA overall (debatable, of course). But NPB has a typically wider talent range than one level in the American pro system.

Oke, thanks for the info.

[jamalshw]

I can't see paying 10M a year for 3 or 4 years for a guy who probably is a #3 starter at best. As to his upside, I think we've seen his best a few years ago with Detroit. At age 28/29 I don't expect anything more from Jackson but you could get less. His numbers the last two years are mediocre. I'm not paying that kind of money for depth. Chen gives you more upside for half the money. That was the move DD went for and I agree with it. You won't see another significant move for the starting rotation unless Guthrie gets dealt.

While I don't advocate signing Jackson, I wouldn't be 100% opposed if you were able to get him at the lower end of your range 3/30 or even 3/33, but no way I want a 4th year.

That said, I like the depth we have in our rotation:

1. Jeremy Guthrie (solid middle of the rotation arm)

2. Zach Britton (good potential to be #2/3 type arm)

3. Jake Arrieta (solid back of the rotation option with good upside)

4. Tsuyoshi Wada (potential back of the rotation arm, swing man)

5. Tommy Hunter (viable back of the rotation arm, swingman)

6. Dana Eveland (bullpen arm, could start in a pinch)

7. Brian Matusz (start at AAA, great upside)

8. Chris Tillman (start at AAA, could still be servicable)

9. Brad Bergesen (bullpen arm, could start in a pinch)

10. Alfredo Simon (bullpen arm, could start in a pinch)

11. Wei-Yin Chen (potential middle of the rotation option)

That is 11 guys for 5 spots. That's good depth, and some will spill over the bullpen with Jim Johnson (another starting option), Pedro Strop, Troy Patton, Darren O'Day, Zach Phillips, Kevin Gregg (ugh), Jason Berken and others.

The only problem I have with our arms is that nobody looks to be a guy I want heading my rotation.

I'm fine with Guthrie in the #2 slot, Britton in the #3 spot, Chen in the #4, and some combination of the rest of the guys in the #5 spot. It seems we have tons of options for the #3-5 slots, but lack any for the top 2.

[CA-ORIOLE]

Sounds like we need an Asian Buffet at OPACY.

[Richmond Bird 9]

The one thing that I like in this signing is that it gives us two Asian players on the 25 man roster. They can help each other in the transition both on the field and off.