Wei-Yin Chen (BAL, SP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 10 + Team Leagues

OWNED IN: 46% of Fleaflicker Leagues

ANALYSIS: I had no intentions to discuss Chen - that was until the Orioles decided to demote Chen to the minors after his eight-inning shutout vs the Phillies. Video can be seen here. The move allows the team to skip his next start at Toronto and keep him on regular rest, but safe to say Chen wasn’t pleased.

Chen voiced his opinion on Twitter, displeased with the underlying assumption he is injured. Considering most injured players go to the DL, the consensus behind the move is the Orioles gamed the system, a move that allows Chen to miss 10 days instead of 15.

For fantasy terms, the hope here is that unaware or impatient owners see the N/A slapped next to Chen and make a foolish drop. His ownership has already lost a few ticks. If he becomes available in your league, I recommend making a move.

Chen has been arguably the best pitcher in the Orioles rotation, posting a 2.89 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with a 71/19 K/BB ratio. In June he has a 1.89 ERA with 23/4 BB/K ratio, although the road hasn’t been very treacherous (@ HOU, vs BOS, vs PHI). His advanced numbers are similar to his 2014 campaign, although the strikeouts and walks are both up and his BABIP is .274, down from .296 in 2014. I do expect some regression from Chen, but it won’t be enough to make him not worthy of mixed team consideration. Make the move and wait it out till he returns to the rotation.