Fangraphs has him valued at $7.5 and 4.9 million the past couple of years, so there's at least a chance that Chen doesn't implode on himself like a dying star.

Fangraphs has him valued at $7.5 and 4.9 million the past couple of years,

I thought we all agreed to ignore these numbers.

Report: Albert Pujols, Cardinals agree






. . . that he's a really good baseball player.

He's managed to hammer out a decent career after his fall from uberprospect status. I root for him, in a quiet sort of way.

30 Helens agree.

If Chen plays out this contract in KC, it will be five consecutive years he goes without being traded, or released and signed by another team. That just doesn't feel right.

Still, good for him.

If Chen plays out this contract in KC, it will be five consecutive years he goes without being traded, or released and signed by another team. That just doesn't feel right.

He had a chance to take the "most teams played for" record to ridiculous, unreachable heights. Nine teams by the time he was 30, and as lefthanded pitcher, he could conceivably keep getting nibbles until he was in his mid-40s. This successful, stable Chen is really ruining what might have been.

I think if a team trotted out a dead dog for 160 or so innings Fangraphs would value the corpse at about 3 million dollars.

I think if a team trotted out a dead dog for 160 or so innings Fangraphs would value the corpse at about 3 million dollars.

Chen's pitched 295 innings of 3.96 era ball over the past 2 years. Guys with similar numbers:

Josh Beckett: 320 innings, 4.04 era
Scott Baker: 305 innings, 3.90 era
Freddy Garcia: 303 innings, 4.15 era
Jeff Karstens: 285 innings, 4.04 era
Jarr Jurrjens: 268 innings, 3.69 era
Matt Harrison: 264 innings, 3.78 era
Kyle Kendrick: 295 innings, 4.14 era
John Lannan: 328 innings, 4.12 era

The Red Sox, however, are going to keep him on retainer.

I think if a team trotted out a dead dog for 160 or so innings Fangraphs would value the corpse at about 3 million dollars.

Derek Lowe, 2011, 23.2 RAR, $11.4.

Hmm...