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Aside from CC Sabathia, the Yankees rotation does not currently have a left-handed pitcher in a ballpark conducive to surrendering frequent power from the left side. With Sabathia battling both injuries and alcoholism, the Yankees could turn their attention to a familiar foe in Chen to solidify the back-end of the starting rotation.
As an international signing out of Taiwan, Chen became a free agent after just four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles. Consistency and reliability have been the marks of Chen’s time in Baltimore, averaging 11 victories per season with low walk rates and a tendency to pitch to contact.
Unlike most left-handed pitchers, Chen is an extreme fly ball pitcher and could potentially add to his already lofty home run total pitching in a bandbox such as Yankee Stadium. Aside from Price, Chen is the youngest southpaw on the free agent market and could pique the Yankees’ interest based on his track record and overlook his gopher ball tendencies.
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