Former Los Angeles Angels right-hander Dan Haren has signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals for $13 million.
The Long Beach Press-Telegram reported that Haren, 32, will be joining his fifth team when he reports to Washington. Haren is 119-96 since his debut in 2003.
Sports Illustrated reports that the Angels had tried to trade Haren to the Chicago Cubs, but the team ended up declining to pick up his option and buying him out of his contract, making him a free agent. Had the Angels picked up the option, Haren would have been paid $15.5 million. His new contract with Washington, plus the $3.5 million buyout from the Angels, actually mean that Haren will make about $1 million more this year than if he had remained in Los Angeles.
The Nationals were not put off from signing Haren despite his age and recent injuries. While Haren has pitched more than 200 innings in his career, back and hip injuries saw him limited to 177 innings last season and a 4.33 ERA while going 12-13.
Haren’s final record as an Angel 33-27. Los Angeles acquired Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the trade deadline in 2010 in exchange for Joe Saunders and minor league pitchers Rafael Rodriguez, Patrick Corbin, and Tyler Skaggs.
Haren, a graduate of Bishop Amat High School who attended Pepperdine University, is a three-time All-Star pitcher. His best season so far came in 2007 with the Arizona Diamondbacks. That year Haren went 16-8 with a 3.33 ERA.
The signing is expected to bolster the Nationals’ already able bullpen. With the addition, Washington’s rotation will now be Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Ross Detwiler, and Gio Gonzalez and Haren.
