Marlins Sign Lefty Starter Wei-Yin Chen For 5 Years, $80 Million
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The biggest signings that the Miami Marlins have made during the offseason have been manager Don Mattingly and hitting coach Barry Bonds.
Now reports have emerged that Miami is working on a deal with veteran left handed pitcher Wei-Yin Chen.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Marlins "remain in active negotiations" with the 29-year-old former Baltimore starter.
Last season Chen pitched 191 innings, earning an 11-8 record to go with 153 strikeouts, a 3.34 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.
During his four year MLB career, all with the Orioles, Chen has gone 46-32 with a 3.72 ERA.
Baltimore offered Chen a $15.8 million qualifying offer that was turned down.
The Marlins would be required to forfeit a draft pick to sign Chen, though due to Miami's poor record last season they would only be on the hook for a second round pick, not a first.
Another name that has been mentioned in connection with the Marlins is free agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur.
The 32-year-old spent almost the entire 2014 season in the minor leagues before catching on with Philadelphia last year.
He hit .258 with 13 home runs and a .718 OPS over 343 plate appearances.
Miami could be in the market for another veteran outfielder due to the uncertainty surrounding Marcell Ozuna.
UPDATE
The Marlins have signed Chen to a 5 year $80 million deal, per CBS Sports MLB insider Jon Heyman.
The deal comes with a sixth year vesting option, making it potentially worth up to $96 million.
