Will the Marlins' deal with Wei-Yin Chen end the Jose Fernandez trade rumors?
The Miami Marlins reportedly agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal with free-agent left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on Tuesday. It reportedly includes a vesting option for a sixth year.
Source: Chen deal with #Marlins will be five years, $80M. Does not include no-trade clause. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 12, 2016
Option in Chen deal with #Marlins is vesting player option. Likely means he can get 6th year by reaching certain thresholds, or become FA.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 12, 2016
Also, Chen has opt-out after second year, per @Buster_ESPN.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 12, 2016
Hot Stove is great theatre: #Marlins, Scott Boras begin offseason at odds over Jose Fernandez. Today, Marlins sign Boras client Chen.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 12, 2016
Chen, 30, went 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA and 153 strikeouts in 31 starts (191 1/3) for the Baltimore Orioles last season. In his four-season major-league career -- spent entirely with the Orioles -- he is 46-32 with a 3.72 ERA.
The move could signal the end of the trade rumors surrounding Marlins ace Jose Fernandez, who has been coveted by multiple teams this offseason. With Fernandez and Chen atop the rotation, Miami improves its chances of contending this season under new manager Don Mattingly and new hitting coach Barry Bonds.
The team is loaded with young position players, including right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, center fielder Marcell Ozuna, left fielder Christian Yelich, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarri and second baseman Dee Gordon.
Also on Tuesday, the Marlins reportedly agreed to a deal with free-agent infielder Chris Johnson.