Report: Wei-Yin Chen signs five-year deal with Marlins for $80M

(AP) Wei-Yin Chen, who established himself as valuable starting pitcher in MLB through four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, has found himself a new home in the NL East.

Chen has reportedly come to terms on a free-agent contract with the Miami Marlins for five years worth $80 million. Included in the deal is a vesting sixth year that could push the contract up to $96 million. He also reportedly has an opt-out after the second year.

[Elsewhere: Dodgers close to deal with Cuban pitcher Yaisel Sierra, per Jeff Passan]

The deal was first reported as done by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, with ESPN’s Buster Olney filling in contract details. The agreement is, as always, pending a physical.

Chen, 30, was 11-8 last season in Baltimore with a 3.34 ERA. He pitched 191.1 innings and struck out 153 batters. In 2014, he was also quite good — going 16-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 185.2 innings. The Marlins don’t need Chen to be an ace, they’ve got Jose Fernandez for that. But Chen certainly helps their rotation in the pitching-heavy NL East, where the New York Mets have an embarrassment of young pitching riches and the Washington Nationals have Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg atop their rotation.

Ranking at No. 15 on the Jeff Passan’s Free-Agent Tracker, Chen was considered the best starter left on the market. The next best pitcher available, for teams that are still shopping, is Ian Kennedy.

One note that makes the Chen deal fascinating for the Marlins: He’s repped by super-agent Scott Boras, who handles business for Fernandez, among others. Boras and the Marlins however, aren’t reported to have a great relationship. So goes MLB free agency, though. For the right amount of money and the right amount of talent, it doesn’t matter how great agents and owners get along.

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