Tweet
No matter the outcome of Friday's arbitration hearing, Chien-Ming Wang was in line for a large raise, so he wasn't exactly fretting as the Yankees went through their first workouts of Spring Training.
"Nothing yet," Wang said, checking his cell phone for messages after throwing his first bullpen session at Legends Field.
The news, once it did arrive, wasn't as good as Wang may have hoped.
The Taiwanese right-hander was awarded a 2008 salary of $4 million instead of his request of $4.6 million in a decision by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Jack Clarke and Christine Knowlton, who heard the case on Thursday in St. Petersburg at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club.
The 27-year-old Wang earned $489,500 last season, when he was 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts for the Yankees, walking 59 and striking out 104 in 199 1/3 innings.
The 19-win season was his second such campaign in a row, making him the Major Leagues' winningest pitcher over the past two years, but he also struggled last October, losing twice in the American League Division Series to the Indians.
Major Leaguers haven't had much luck in arbitration this year, as Wang was the fourth of four players to lose a hearing. Nationals infielder Felipe Lopez lost his case on Thursday, and relievers Brian Fuentes of the Rockies and Jose Valverde of the Astros lost on Friday.
This was Wang's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he will not reach free agency until 2011.
Some speculated that the Yankees might have interest in pursuing a long-term extension with Wang -- as New York did with second baseman Robinson Cano -- but general manager Brian Cashman said that this was not the proper time, given the inherent risk in locking up young pitchers to lengthy contracts.
--
If Wang can't hit FA for another few years, I'd play this game again next season. You don't want to make Wang wait too much, as it could backfire.
"Nothing yet," Wang said, checking his cell phone for messages after throwing his first bullpen session at Legends Field.
The news, once it did arrive, wasn't as good as Wang may have hoped.
The Taiwanese right-hander was awarded a 2008 salary of $4 million instead of his request of $4.6 million in a decision by arbitrators Stephen Goldberg, Jack Clarke and Christine Knowlton, who heard the case on Thursday in St. Petersburg at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club.
The 27-year-old Wang earned $489,500 last season, when he was 19-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 30 starts for the Yankees, walking 59 and striking out 104 in 199 1/3 innings.
The 19-win season was his second such campaign in a row, making him the Major Leagues' winningest pitcher over the past two years, but he also struggled last October, losing twice in the American League Division Series to the Indians.
Major Leaguers haven't had much luck in arbitration this year, as Wang was the fourth of four players to lose a hearing. Nationals infielder Felipe Lopez lost his case on Thursday, and relievers Brian Fuentes of the Rockies and Jose Valverde of the Astros lost on Friday.
This was Wang's first year of arbitration eligibility, and he will not reach free agency until 2011.
Some speculated that the Yankees might have interest in pursuing a long-term extension with Wang -- as New York did with second baseman Robinson Cano -- but general manager Brian Cashman said that this was not the proper time, given the inherent risk in locking up young pitchers to lengthy contracts.
--
If Wang can't hit FA for another few years, I'd play this game again next season. You don't want to make Wang wait too much, as it could backfire.
Comment