It was just a matter of time before the Los Angeles Dodgers made an impactful offseason move. The free-spending defending NL West champions inked starting pitcher Dan Haren to a one-year contract on Sunday. The deal is reported to be worth $10 million.
The 33-year-old Haren put up a 4.67 ERA with 10 wins and 14 losses in his only season with the Washington Nationals this past year. What might not be considered a strong overall performance, actually ended better than it started. After putting up a 5.61 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in the first half, Haren responded by winning six of his 10 decisions and posting a 3.52/1.02 split after the All-Star break.
After breaking out with 16 wins for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008, a year after he was traded from the Oakland Athletics, Haren hasn't really been the same pitcher. He posted a 59-42 record from 2005-2008, but is just 50-49 since. With that being said, Haren figures to be in line for a bounce back campaign in 2013. He finished last year off strong and will be heading to what is considered a pitcher-friendly park in Southern California.
Considering that Tim Lincecum netted $17.5 million and Tim Hudson $11.5 million per with the San Francisco Giants earlier this offseason, the Dodgers might have gotten a steal here.
With the addition of Haren, the Dodgers appear to be set in their starting rotation.