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According to a report this morning by FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the Washington Nationals have signed free agent right-hander Dan Haren to a 1-year/$13M dollar deal, pending a physical, adding a veteran arm to their starting rotation:
Sources: Dan Haren in agreement with #Nationals, one year, $13M. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2012
The '01 St. Louis Cardinals' 2nd Round pick and 32-year-old, 10-year veteran spent the last three years with the LA Angels. While dealing with back/hipissues, the right-hander was (12-13) with a 4.33 ERA, 4.24 FIP, 38 walks (1.94 BB/9) and 142 Ks (7.23 K/9) in 30 starts and 176.2 IP in 2012. When healthy in 2011, Haren was (16-10) with a 3.17 ERA, 2.98 FIP, 33 walks (1.25 BB/9) and 192 Ks (7.25 K/9), and over the course of his career with the Cardinals, A's, D-Backs and Angels, the 6'5'' starter has a 3.66 ERA, 3.64 FIP, 1.89 BB/9 and 7.68 K/9.
The Angels declined their $15.5M dollar option after the 2012 campaign, paying the right-hander a $3.5M dollar buyout after he played the final year of the 4-year/$44.75M dollar deal he signed in 2008. Haren was traded to Anaheim in a July 25, 2010 deal that sent four players to the D-Backs. The Nationals have not officially announced the deal yet, but Washington Post writer Adam Kilgore's sources confirmed FOXSports.com's Mr. Rosenthal's report:
A source says the Nats have agreed to terms with right-hander Dan Haren, confirming @ken_rosenthal's report. Deal not final, official yet.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) December 4, 2012
The WaPost's Nats beat writer reported last night that D.C. GM Mike Rizzo and the Nats, who have openly discussed their desire to replace the departed Edwin Jackson in the Nationals' rotation saying they weren't necessarily looking for a "fifth" starter but instead, "'... the most impactful guy that we can get.'" There had been rumors of interest in free agent Zack Greinke on the Nationals' part and there was talk about a potential deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for pitcher James Shields before this morning's announcement. Haren, if healthy, would certainly qualify as an impactful starter.
More info when it's available.