MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 28: Bruce Chen #52 of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning on September 28, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
According to Jon Heyman, the Royals will sign left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen to a two-year contract worth $9MM, with a $1MM roster bonus and another $1MM in incentives. Chen, 34, put together solid numbers in 2010 and 2011, posting a 105 ERA+ in 48 starts (295 innings). The deal is currently pending a physical.
2012 will be Chen's fourteenth season in the majors, in what's been a long but mostly mediocre career. He has a career 4.52 ERA/5.03 FIP/4.71 xFIP in 1165 innings (169 starts). The new contract would likely double his career earnings, which is pretty remarkable.
His peripherals aren't particularly good, as he's posted a 4.74 xFIP over these past two seasons, but even so, he's managed to be rather productive, accumulating 2.9 fWAR and 4.6 rWAR over that time. Bill James projects Chen for a 4.22 ERA/4.63 FIP in 2012.
With the additions of Jonathan Sanchez and the return of Chen, the Royals now have considerable starting pitching depth.
There are 0 Comments. Add Yours.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Something to say? Choose one of these options to log in.