The agency representing Taiwanese pitcher Chien-ming Wang has confirmed that the 29-year-old right-hander has signed an incentive laden one-year deal to play for the Washington Nationals.
In a move described as more of a gamble than a purchase by a Washington newspaper, the Nationals will pay Wang a guaranteed US$2 million and up to US$3.2 million in incentives for the 2010 season, according to the agency that represents him, Octagon Baseball.
Among the incentives, Wang will receive US$250,000 if he remains on the Nationals Major League roster for more than 60 consecutive days and another US$200,000 if he wins the Comeback Player of the Year Award.
The former New York Yankee will also earn incentives of various magnitudes for starting between 10 and 27 games in 2010, a tall order considering that Wang is not expected to start pitching until May.
The Yankees non-tendered Wang in December after his up-and-down five-year stint with the club. He won more games than any other big league pitcher (38) between 2006 and 2007, but injuries limited him to 27 appearances over the past two years.
In 2009, when he earned US$5 million, Wang was 1-6 with an atrocious 9.64 ERA before being shut down for the season with a shoulder injury.
Taiwan News Online
