Dan Haren agrees to one-year, $13-million deal with Nationals
It looks like Dan Haren’s short tenure with the Angels is over, as the right-hander agreed to a one-year, $13-million deal with the Washington Nationals.
The deal probably means the Nationals won’t sign pitcher Zack Greinke, considered the plum of the free-agent market, leaving the door open for the Angels or Dodgers to sign him.
Haren, 32, went 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA for the Angels last season. He struggled with a sore back throughout the season, however, and the Angels declined to pick up his one-year, $15.5-million team option.
Last month, Haren told Times Angels reporter Mike DiGiovanna that he was physically sound despite rumors to the contrary.
“It’s definitely a little frustrating to hear, being as I’ve started all but three games over a nine-year career,†Haren said in an email. “I haven’t heard why exactly they pulled out, but I finished the year healthy and did pretty well down the stretch.â€
Though slowed by lower-back tightness in the first half of the 2012 season, Haren went 6-5 with a 3.58 ERA in his final 13 starts.
“I’ve never missed any time because of injury other than the three weeks this year because of my back,†Haren said. “When I came back, I had to be cleared by doctors, so obviously, I was healthy.
“As for any other ‘injury,’ I’ve had very minor issues over the years, but nothing significant at all. My arm is in great shape, and physically, I’m in a very good place right now. I’m very, very confident that I will return to form next year.â€
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