Free agent pitcher Wei-Yin Chen agreed to a deal with the Miami Marlins on Tuesday. Infielder Chris Johnson also agreed to a deal with the team.
The deal with Chen is pending a physical. Chen’s deal is for five years and $80 million with a sixth-year vesting option, according to ESPN. The vesting option will vest for the 2021 season based on how many innings Chen pitches in 2019 and 2020. If the sixth-year option vests, the deal could be worth up to $96 million. Chen can opt out of the contract after the second year.
Chen, a native of Taiwan, pitched for the Chunichi Dragons from 2004 to 2011 going 36-30 with a 2.59 ERA. He spent the last four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Last year, he was 11-8 with a 3.34 ERA which ranked seventh in the American League, according to the Miami Herald. Chen is 46-32 with a 3.72 ERA in his four-year MLB career.
Johnson has played for the Houston Astros, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, and the Cleveland Indians in his seven-year career. He hit .255 with three homeruns and 18 RBI’s with the Braves and Indians last year. Johnson has a .280 average with 58 homeruns and 315 RBI’s in his career.
Chen is expected to be the Marlins number two starter, behind ace Jose Fernandez.