The Starting Nine: Dan Haren Signs With Dodgers + Nationals' Pitching Search

We understand, sort of, not really, that not everyone can spend their offseason waiting around for some news on the Washington Nationals to break. So if you find yourself wondering what you missed in the last week, catch up every Monday with The Starting Nine. Nine topics/stories that will keep you in the know as far as what's going on with the nation's capital's Nats. We're also including "The Rotation" below, the Top 5 Stories from the last week on Federal Baseball...

1. Haren Returns To L.A.:

Sources: Haren to #Dodgers, one year, $10M plus 2015 option that vests at 180 innings. Pending physical.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 25, 2013

Haren missed just over two weeks with right shoulder inflammation in ’13, but returned to produce 3.29 ERA in last 15 starts for #Nationals.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 25, 2013

• "Haren longed to pitch on the West Coast and had reached an understanding with Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo that he would not return." - "Reports: Dan Haren agrees to terms with the Dodgers" - Adam Kilgore, Washington Post

• "Haren leaves the Nationals after one year with the team, a tenure that ended much better than it started." - "Dan Haren signs one-year deal with Dodgers" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

• "Haren will slot into the Dodgers 4th spot in the rotation behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu." - "MLB Rumors: Fantasy Impact of Dan Haren signing with the Dodgers" - Ray Guilfoyle, Fake Teams

• "Haren landed on the disabled list in each of the last two seasons. He was placed on the DL in 2012 because of tightness in his back and this year because of a stiff shoulder." - "Dodgers reach deal with potential No. 5 starter Dan Haren" - Dylan Hernandez, latimes.com

2. Memo To AL East Teams - Brush Up On Unwritten Rules:

• "McCann moves on after playing over 100 games in each of the last eight years with the Braves. He was one of the team’s best hitters for almost a decade and doubled as a leader in the locker room." - "Brian McCann signs with Yankees, leaves NL East" - Chase Hughes, Nats Insider

3. Another FA Target For The Nationals?:

• "For some teams, the holes are obvious; the Nationals' problems aren't so easy to fix. On paper, it's a team without any outstanding strengths or weaknesses." - "Nationals should sign Ubaldo Jimenez" - David Schoenfield, SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

4. So... Did He Get $6M Or $8M? That's The Important Question:

#Nationals release Cuban RHP Yunesky Maya, whom they signed to 4-year, $6 million deal in August 2010 after he defected.

— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) November 23, 2013

• "The Nationals have released right-hander Yunesky Maya, MLB.com confirmed Saturday. Baseball America was the first to report that Maya was let go." - "Nationals release Cuban right-hander Yunesky Maya" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

• "This move ends the Nationals' experiment with the 32-year-old righty, a guy who the Nats trumpeted as a major international signing a little more than three years ago." - "Nationals Pastime: Saying bye-a to Maya" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

5. Your Daily Message From The Dalai Lama On Twitter (@DalaiLama):

I feel that each of us has the potential to make some contribution and together, working with a clear aim, we can change our world.

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) June 7, 2013

6. Rizzo Talks To MLB.com:

• "'We have Matt Skole, who got sidetracked [with Tommy John surgery] on his non-throwing elbow. He should make a statement this year.'" - "A conversation with Washington Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo" - Bill Ladson, nationals.com: News

7. Willllll-SON!!!!:

• Tigres 17-4 Over Bravos: Wilson Ramos - 1 for 4, BB, 2 R - Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional: Statistics | MLB.com: Events

#ARRIBATIGRES LineUp del segundo juego vs Bravos pic.twitter.com/sNFoqsqW1j

— Tigres de Aragua (@OficialTigres) November 25, 2013

8. Metal Detectors Every Day:

• "Baseball fans should expect to go through a metal detector to see their favorite team play in 2014." - "All big league ballparks to screen fans in 2014" - Jimmy Golen, AP/Comcast SportsNet Washington

9. Random Nats Links:

• "Tony Beasley will not return to manage Triple-A Syracuse this season, instead opting to move to the role of minor league field coordinator." - "Nationals Pastime: New faces coming on the minor league level" - Dan Kolko, MASNSports.com

• "Could the Nationals be a big player for Jacoby Ellsbury? They are certainly going to weigh in on David Price." - "Robinson Cano not being shopped well" - Nick Cafardo, The Boston Globe

The Rotation:

Follow @federalbaseball

• Matt Williams On Bryce Harper's Spot In The Nationals' Order
• Nationals Offseason: 5 Most Pivotal Players
• On Nationals' Prospects Sammy Solis And Matt Purke In 2014
• Nationals And Bryce Harper Could End Up In Grievance Hearing
• Mike Rizzo's Nationals In 2014: Another New Era In The Nation's Capital