Report: Chien-Ming Wang Likely to Sign with New York Yankees for 2013
March 21, 2013 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Chien-Ming Wang is close to being back with the Yankees.
After working out for the Bombers in Tampa on Wednesday, Dan Martin of the New York Post has reported that they will likely sign their former ace to a deal.
Sweeny Murti of WFAN also confirmed that the Yankees will likely sign Wang, probably to a minor league deal for 2013.
Yanks working out Chien-Ming Wang. Threw 92-93 in WBC. Could be AAA deal, insurance for big league rotation.
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) March 20, 2013
Wang went 55-26 with the Yankees during his time from 2005-2009 but ran into injury problems during his last two seasons in the Bronx.
After missing all of 2010 recovering from a shoulder surgery in 2009, Wang has spent the last two seasons with the Washington Nationals, both as a starter and reliever.
The 32-year-old played for the Chinese Taipei team in the World Baseball Classic this past month and pitched 12 scoreless innings with scouts in attendance.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman watched Wang pitch and was impressed with what he saw from Wang in the WBC, which sparked the team to bring him to Tampa for a workout.
With the likelihood that Wang will come back to the team on a minor league deal, he’ll probably start 2013 in the minors, similar to how Andy Pettitte started 2012 in his comeback from retirement.
Wang finished second in the Cy Young voting in 2006 with a 19-6 record, a 3.63 ERA and 33 starts.
According to the scouting reports, Wang’s fastball was clocked in the 92-93 miles per hour range, which is pretty good considering his age and comeback from injury.
If his sinker is what it used to be, along with the velocity on his fastball, I can definitely see Wang pitching for the Yankees in 2013.
To have another starter with Wang’s track record could be an asset to a Yankees team that has been built around pitching and defense.
All that is left is the official word as to when Wang signs the deal to don the pinstripes for a second time.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
