Former Blue Jays Pitcher Chien-Ming Wang Signs With Cincinnati

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

With Alex Anthopoulos still in need of arms to fill out both his starting rotation and his minor league pitching depth, the Toronto Blue Jays general manager still has a few moves left to make this offseason. The only sure thing is that Chien-Ming Wang will not be the answer to either of those needs.

Wang, a 33-year-old right-hander, opted to sign a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds as reported by Focus Taiwan News Channel.

Wang spent the 2013 season split between the Yankees and the Blue Jays, making six appearances with Toronto last season. Wang gave Blue Jays fans some hope after allowing just six earned runs over his first three starts, totaling 20.2 innings pitched and posting an average game score of 55. However, it was quickly down hill from there, with Wang failing to make it out of the third inning in any of his other three starts, allowing 18 runs (17 earned) in the process.

Wang’s results were much better at the Triple-A level. In 18 appearances (17 starts), the sinker-baller posted a solid 8-7 record with a 2.87 ERA split between Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Yankees) and Buffalo (Blue Jays) last season.

Wang’s deal with the Reds includes an invitation to spring training. His deal will pay him $1.25 million should he make the Major League roster and also includes incentives that could bring the total value of the deal up to $3 million.

Chien-Ming Wang is now the second pitcher this week that saw action with the Blue Jays in 2013 to sign elsewhere. On Wednesday, Justin Germano signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers.