Dodgers Interested In Dan Haren

The Dodgers have an interest in free agent starting pitcher Dan Haren, and their interest is increasing. This is according to a tweet from Mark Saxon. The Dodgers have reached out to Haren’s agent and there is some mutual interest on both sides. However the two sides have yet to strike a deal.

Haren spent the 2013 season with the Washington Nationals, and despite a trip to the disabled list still made 30 starts, posting a 4.67 ERA and a 10-14 record. Last season Haren whiffed 151 and walked only 31 batters in 169.2 innings pitched. Haren’s career ERA is 3.74 in 11 major league seasons. The 33-year-old right hander was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 2001 amateur draft. Haren has not only been durable but has put up great strikeout to walk numbers during his career. Haren has posted seven 200+ inning seasons, leading the league three times in games started.

Haren has put up a career 4.08 strikeout to walk ratio, and led the league in that category three different times. Haren has posted three 200+ strikeout seasons, and led the league in WHIP once. The Monterey Park native is also a three-time all-star, pitching for five different MLB teams. (Cardinals, Oakland, Arizona, Angels, and Nationals)

As mentioned above, Haren is a Southern California native who expressed being uncomfortable pitching in Washington D.C. so far away from his family and friends. It would make sense for him to sign with the Dodgers. I’m assuming he would be the number four or five starter of course. If the contract is reasonable, and the Dodgers don’t make too big of a financial commitment then I think this could be a very underrated acquisition. Haren has been a pretty solid pitcher, and is a big strikeout guy. Haren does come with some issues though. He allows too many base runners, 9.5 hits per nine last season, and a career 8.8 mark, and a lot of home runs allowed, (28 allowed over his last two seasons), but if the price is right, I have little to complain about it.

A comfortable pitcher is a happy pitcher, and I am sure being around his family and friends would allow Haren to return to his career norms. The right hander has been a pretty durable pitcher and probably good for 30-33 starts per season. Haren has also been known to be a pretty good hitting pitcher. He batted .364 (20 for 55) during the 2010 season, and hit .170 (8 for 47) last season. Haren has hit 24 career doubles, and two home runs. He would fit right in with Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw, as far as good hitting pitchers are concerned.

Haren made 13 million dollars with the Nationals last season. Haren could profile for anywhere between 10-15 million dollars. The Twins, Giants, and Yankees have reportedly also been interested.