It appears the Dodgers have finally made their first real move of winter. According to Ken Rosenthal on twitter, the Dodgers have just signed free agent starting pitcher Dan Haren to a 1-year contract.
Sources: Haren to #Dodgers, one year, $10M plus 2015 option that vests at 180 innings. Pending physical.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 25, 2013
Considering our need for another arm in the starting rotation, he just might fill the bill. Josh Beckett is expected to be ready for Spring, so Haren should be a good option as our #5 pitcher. He isn't going to wow you on the mound, but should provide some good innings.
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
I like that it's a short term deal. If Beckett or Billingsley are unable to come back, then Haren will be the kind of insurance we'll need to survive a long season. Additionally, this may just be an opening move by the Dodgers. They have been closely linked to the up-coming auction for ace Japanese starter Masahiro Tanaka. If the Dodgers win his services, then we'll see quite a battle for the final spot.
As it stands right now, the Dodgers have the following rotation (depth chart):
- Clayton Kershaw
- Zack Greinke
- Hyu-Jin Ryu
- Josh Beckett
- Dan Haren
- Chad Billingsley (will return severals weeks into the season)
- Matt Magill
- Stephen Fife
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