If healthy Haren could prove to be a bargain for the Nationals
Pending a physical, veteran free-agent right-hander Dan Haren will sign a one-year $13 million deal with the Washington Nationals.
Haren was nearly traded to the Chicago Cubs last month for reliever Carlos Marmol, when the Cubs became concerned about Haren’s medical issues and the deal fell through, so passing a physical is not a foregone conclusion.
Combined with the $3.5 million buyout and a $13 million Haren will receive from Washington, his total salary for 2012 will be $16.5 million.
Back and hip issues limited hair into 177 innings in 2012, but prior to that from 2005- 2011 Haren topped 200 innings pitched every season.
Washington General Manager Mike Rizzo had made clear his intention to find starting pitching and had been linked to super free agent Zack Greinke,
The Nats declined a qualifying offer to Edwin Jackson that would have forced any team signing Jackson to lose a draft pick as compensation.
Washington’s rotation now appears set with Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Dan Haren, and Ross Detwiler.
Presumably the Nationals would take themselves out of the market for Greinke. The Dodgers and Rangers appear to be the favorites for Greinke,
Late last week the Nationals surrendered top pitching prospect Alex Meyer for Minnesota Twins center-fielder Denard Span.
