Cincinnati Reds Sign Chien-Ming Wang

Aug 24, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (67) pitches during the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Every Cincinnati Reds fan woke up Thursday morning and said the same exact thing. “Chien-Ming Wang?! What the $%@#.” That was everyone’s reaction, Walt Jocketty has made some surprising signings in the past but Wang is certainly the biggest head scratcher ever.

Cincinnati sign Wang to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, the deal is worth potentially $1.25M if he makes the major league roster and up to $3M in incentives. Wang made his career debut in 2005 with the New York Yankees, his career has had its ups and downs.

Wang most recently was apart of the Toronto Blue Jays organization where he turned two good starts into a rotation spot which saw his ERA skyrocket to 7.67. Before Toronto Wang was with the Washington Nationals, there again his ERA was 4.04 in 2011 and 6.68 in 2012.

Wang has also been plagued by injuries over his career making the signing even more head scratching. Cincinnati does have a spot to fill if Arroyo does sign else where. Tony Cingrani has been tapped to take over that spot but you always need a back up. Wang has not down anything since 2005/2006 to merit an opening day spot in the rotation.

Walt Jocketty has made some head scratching signings and decisions that have worked out, but this signing makes no sense what so ever. The Reds have made hardly any moves this off season, after last season the Wang signing isn’t going to energize the fan base.