CPBL’s Fubon Guardians sign Roenis Elías

Left-handed pitcher Roenis Elias has reportedly signed a contract for the 2025 season with the Fubon Guardians of the Taiwan CPBL. TSNA (h/t CPBL Stats) was first to report the news (link in Chinese), which Francys Romero later confirmed. The lefty will earn a guaranteed salary of $500,000 USD.

Elías, 36, spent time with the Mariners, Red Sox and Nationals over parts of seven MLB seasons. His best year was his rookie season with Seattle in 2014, when he pitched 163 2/3 innings over 29 starts with a 3.85 ERA and a 3.96 SIERA. Unfortunately, he has struggled to replicate that success. From 2015-22, he pitched 232 big league innings in 104 games (25 starts), posting a 4.03 ERA and a 4.49 SIERA.

Although he signed a minor league contract with the Cubs prior to the 2023 season, Elías made just four appearances for Triple-A Iowa before the organization released him to pursue a career overseas. He signed a $540,000 contract with the KBO’s SSG Landers in May and pitched to a 3.70 ERA in 131 1/3 innings the rest of the year. That ERA was well below the league average of 4.14, as was his 6.0% walk rate. Those numbers were enough to earn him another season (and a raise) from the Landers, who re-signed him to a one-year, $1 million contract through the 2024 season.

Unfortunately, the 2024 season hasn’t been as kind to Elías. He missed time with an oblique injury and finished with a 4.08 ERA in 123 2/3 innings. However, it’s worth pointing out that his ERA actually was Better compared to league average in 2024 compared to 2023. He also increased his strikeout rate from 17.0% to 19.8% while slightly reducing his walk rate. However, it appears the Landers have decided not to bring him back for a third year with the club. Instead, Elías will take a pay cut and try to establish himself in a new foreign league.