The New York Yankees and Chien-Ming Wang might be in different directions as the starter has the option of opting out of his contract. As the Yankees pitching has been pretty decent in 2013. The Baltimore Orioles might be a possible landing spot however, if Wang decides not to stay with the Yankees.
The Orioles seem to have mild interest in the right-hander. It would suit them to at least ponder the situation if Wang opts out as the Orioles have some of the worst pitching in baseball. Currently, Baltimore is 26th in the majors with a 4.44 ERA. The starting rotation has been average having won just 19 games sitting smack in the middle of the league in that department.
A key area where the Orioles are lagging overall is in the standings, though, if their pitching excels, you have to like their chances in the long run. Baltimore is currently sitting 2.5 behind the second-place Yankees, who seem to have run out of steam at the end of the month of May.
How the Yankees are winning is almost a mystery, but solid pitching has truly been key as they have relied on it in 2013 like never before. The Yankees are 10th in the league with a 3.66 ERA. A key attribute in the championship winning teams of the 90's was strike outs and in 2013 the Yankees are also 10th in the league with 423 strikeouts. They have Mariano River still closing games out and they are set to get their true superstars back in the lineup.
Wang isn't a strikeout pitcher, but, with the Yankees luck of late, injuries have taken a toll and can happen at any moment. Wang could provide an emergency arm and could boost the Yankees rotation, especially if he pitches close to the way he performed in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Wang went 1-0 in two starts, throwing 12 scoreless innings with 10 hits, a walk and three strikeouts.
For now, it doesn't seem like Wang will opt out of his contract with the Yankees. The only way he would leave is if another team offers a guaranteed spot on their rotation. The Orioles have taken chances with pitchers, will Wang be the next addition to their rotation?
