Chien-Ming Wang: The Arm That Isn't Available…Yet

Chien-Ming Wang is a member of the World Champion New York Yankees, for now.   The 29-year-old right-handed starter is eligible for arbitration this winter and the Yankees have until the December 12 deadline to offer him a contract for next season, something that doesn’t appear likely.   Wang, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, made $5 million last season after signing a one-year deal to avoid arbitration and is under team control for two more seasons.   It is largely rumored that the Yankees aren’t expected to offer him a contract, thus making him a free agent.   It is quite a different world for Wang than it was a year and a half ago when he was one of the best starters in baseball.   Heading into play on June 15, 2008, Wang had a career record of 54-20 with a 3.79 ERA. He’d finished second in the 2006 Cy Young voting and had won 19 games twice.   Unfortunately, that would be the end of Wang’s success.   During an inter-league game against the Houston Astros, Wang ... (link)