Chen, Johnson agree to terms with Marlins

The Marlins have had an active start to the week after reportedly agreeing to a deal with free agent starter Wei-Yin Chen early Tuesday afternoon. This gives him a comparable contract to Mike Leake (five years, $80 million from Cardinals) and Jeff Samardzija (five years, $90 million from Giants).

The deal could be worth up to US$96 million if the sixth-year option vests, and Chen can opt out of the contract after the second year, according to USA media reports. The 30-year-old Chen should enjoy a move from the American League to the National League, not to mention a move from Camden Yards to Marlins Park, which takes on added importance because of his fly-ball tendency. Chen did, however, turn down a qualifying offer from the O’s, so he is attached to draft-pick compensation. The deal will be finalized once Chen is passes his physical with the team. 280 /.316 /.411. The Marlins said goodbye to Donovan Solano recently and Johnson should end up serving in a similar role.

Though Chen’s win total dropped from a career-high 16 to a career-low 11, the numbers say he was just as good as, if not better than, ever. But with the Marlins opening their pocket book (no truth to the rumor that dust and bats came flying out) the need to make that sort of trade is diminished.

Jackson spent last season working out of the bullpen during stints with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves. He is coming off a season in which he hit just.255/.286/.337 with three homers and 18 RBI in 83 games. In 2012, he yielded 29, seventh-most in the AL.

In 2013, things started right where they left off for Chen. He struggled though during his final season in Cuba, going 5-12 with a 6.10 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 36 relief outings (62 innings). Aside from the long-term deals given to Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich, the Marlins do not have any other player on their roster signed beyond 2016 (aside from those under club control).