clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Dan Haren, Dodgers agree to one-year, $10 million contract per reports

The contract reportedly includes an option for 2015 that would vest with 180 innings pitched in 2014.

USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers have reportedly added to their starting rotation, agreeing to terms with right-handed pitcher Dan Haren on a one-year contract with $10 million, per a report from Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Rosenthal reported the deal for Haren includes a 2015 option that vests with 180 innings pitched, and could be finalized as early as Monday pending a physical, per Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Haren, 34, was 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA in 31 games, including 30 starts for the Nationals in 2013, with 151 strikeouts and just 31 walks in 169⅔ innings. Haren's strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.87 ranked fourth in the National League, but his 28 home runs allowed were second.

He will slot in the Dodgers' rotation behind Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-jin Ryu, but whether he is the fourth or fifth starter depends on the health of Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley, both coming off surgery, and how active the Dodgers are in pursuing another starter. The Dodgers went into the 2013 season with eight starting pitchers under contract, so don't put it past them to acquire more starting pitching.

Haren was 4-9 with a 6.15 ERA with 19 home runs in 15 starts when he went on the disabled list in June with right shoulder inflammation. After a two-week stint on the DL Haren was a different pitcher, 6-5 with a 3.29 ERA with 84 strikeouts, 18 walks and just nine home runs allowed in 87⅔ innings, and had 11 quality starts in 15 starts.

Though he has fallen short of 180 innings the last two seasons Haren was one of the most durable pitchers in baseball for nearly a decade. From 2005-2011 Haren pitched at least 216 innings and made at least 33 starts for seven straight seasons, averaging 226 innings and 34 starts per year during that span, with a 3.49 ERA and 122 ERA+.

But in the last two seasons Haren was 22-27 with a 4.50 ERA, averaging 30 starts and 173 innings.

The acquisition of Haren will be the Dodgers' second big move of the offseason, joining Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero, who was signed for four years and $28 million on Oct. 22.

Not counting Haren, the Dodgers have $176.1 million committed to 12 players in 2014, which also doesn't include any buyout amounts, dead money, or salary arbitration estimates.