For Chien-Ming Wang to go from elite status (Yankees) to the bottom of the barrel in baseball (Nationals) you know he must be desperate for a job.  The Nationals signed Wang to an undisclosed amount as of now and he will join the rotation in May in all likelyhood.  Wang was a 19 game winning in 2006 and 2007 but struggled to stay healthy in 2008 and 2009.  Wang is already 29 years old after playing professionally overseas for a few seasons.  His injuries weren’t minor aches and pains, he had shoulder surgery and struggled in the starting rotation last year with the Yankees.  He finished the year with 9 starts (3 relief appearances) and had a 1-6 record with a 9.64 ERA; just amazing to see a Yankee struggle the way he did.

This deal with the Nationals I assume is only a 1-2 year deal and not worth much money as a base contract but Wang could probably earn a few million in incentives.  Is this a good signing for the Nationals?  Well only time will tell if Wang can stay healthy.  If he is will he win 19 games?  Not a chance, I’d say 11 wins, tops.

Grade for the Nationals: N/A.  I don’t know the terms of the deal.  Wang may be considered a veteran but with the language barrier he can’t even help some of the younger guys on the team.  His career will continue to go downhill from the point forward.

UPDATE:  The deal is believed to be worht $2 million.  Not bad for a guy who may end up the ace of the staff by the end of the year.  We will see how the rookies perform.  I still give this deal a C+.