MLB: Chien-Ming Wang Signs One-Year Deal with the Washington Nationals

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com , Chien-Ming Wang is now officially former Yankee Chien-Ming Wang as he signed with the Washington Nationals for one year and $2 million with a possible $3 million in incentives.

The Yankees officially non-tendered Wang on Dec. 13 , but there were rumors at the time that they wanted to keep him.

Why did they release him if they wanted to keep him? If they took him to arbitration without releasing him, he would have been guaranteed at least $4 million.

At first it seemed like it was only a matter of time until he re-signed with the Yankees. Early rumors said they were set to match any offer teams made. But over time, interest from other teams grew and it seemed like the Yankees were set to move on without him.

In the end, it is doubtful that the Yankees were even involved in any negotiations at all with Wang.

Wang is recovering from shoulder surgery. He is not yet throwing off  the mound, but should be soon. The Dodgers lost interest in him when they determined that he wouldn’t return to games by May at the earliest, but it would probably be more like June.

Once he does return, there should be a spot in the Nationals rotation for him to jump into.

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