The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed starter Dan Haren to a one-year, $10 million contract, according to reports. The deal also includes an option for 2015 that vests at 180 innings. The eal is pending a physical. Haren and the Dodgers have shown interest for days now, as it was reported that the two sides were in discussions days ago.
Haren, 33, has a career 3.74 ERA in his 11 years in the Major Leagues. He averages 33 starts a year, showing his reliability. In 2013, with the Nationals, Haren went 10-14 with a 4.67 ERA. He pitched well in the second half of 2013, going 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA in that time. He could be a reliable pitcher for Los Angeles. In 5 1/2 years in the National League, Haren has posted a 3.95 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. He averages 216 innings per year, and should be a good pitcher for the Dodgers. Haren will heading to a Dodgers staff that will likely be headed by Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, and Hyun-Jin Ryu, three pitchers who all showed great success in 2013. Dodgers starters ranked first in ERA in 2013 with a 3.13 mark, 29 points ahead of the Cardinals second place staff. Haren will likely be a fourth or fifth starter for Los Angeles. He might be replacing Ricky Nolasco, the veteran pitcher who may be lost to free agency.
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Shortstop Jhonny Peralta has agreed to a four-year deal with the Cardinals, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. The deal, which is expected to be, just over $52 million, will keep Peralta in a Cardinals uniform through the 2017 season. Peralta and the Cardinals have been close to a deal since yesterday evening, when it became prevalent that they offered that the Cardinals offered the shortstop a four-year deal.
Peralta, 31 at the beginning of 2014, has played in the big leagues for 11 years. He has a career slash line of .268/.330/.425 and has been a relatively good defender, posting a career .980 fielding percentage at short. In 2013, Peralta hit .303/.358/.457 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI. Peralta was tagged with a 50-game suspension for using PEDs in 2013. His .374 BABIP shows that he might not be able to repeat his performance from the 2013 season. A BABIP over .300 usually shows that a player has been relatively lucky during their season. Compared to his career BABIP (.315), Peralta had a great year in 2013, another sign that he might have a chance of falling off of the table. Shortstop is definitely a position of need for the Cardinals. The Cardinals had a 27th worst OPS from their shortstops in 2013, posting a mark of .583. Peralta will likely replace Pete Kozma at shortstop, who hit .217/.275/.273 in 2013. Even if the Cardinals do not get the 2013 Peralta, they absolutely will be getting an upgrade at that position compared to the 2013 Kozma. The Los Angeles Angels and relief pitcher Joe Smith have agreed to a three-year deal, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (via Twitter). Heyman also said, in a later tweet, that Smith will be heading to the Angels on a contract worth a little more than $15 million. Smith was highly regarded as one of the top relievers on the 2013 free agent market.
In 2013, Smith was phenomenal out of the Cleveland Indians bullpen. He only allowed 22% of inherited runners to score (5 of 23), and pitched to a minuscule 2.29 ERA. The workhorse (appeared in 70 games), allowed only 0.7 home runs per nine innings and only 7.7 hits per nine innings. The righty was also great against lefties, as left-handed batters only hit .227 off of him. Right-handers fared better, but not by much, as they had a .242 BA against Smith. It was not only in 2013 where Smith had a great year. From 2011 to 2013, Smith has a combined 2.42 ERA in 213 appearances. He is able to get the job done often. Many teams looking for relief help were in on Smith, such as the Phillies, the Mariners, and the Angels. In 2013, the Angels bullpen ERA was a 26th worst 4.12 mark. Joe Smith should definitely help bring that number down, and secure more wins for the Angels as a team. Brian McCann and the New York Yankees have signed a long-term contract, according to reports. The deal with the New York Yankees was originally reported close by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. According to Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter), the Yankees have locked up McCann to a five-year, $85 million contract. The contract could be worth as high as $100 million with a sixth year option. The deal includes a full no-trade clause, according to Jon Heyman of CBS (via Twitter)The catcher has finally been able to be locked up for a long time.
The original deal was expected to be a five-year deal worth over $80 million, according to Ken Rosenthal. The Rangers or Red Sox were the early favorites to be the winners in McCann's sweepstakes. He ruled out heading to Texas, and decided to sign with the Yankees tonight. It was also known that the Rockies made a large offer to McCann, making a run at him for over $60 million. The Rockies, having been in the running for numerous catchers, have been unable to sign their two biggest targets, Carlos Ruiz and Brian McCann. McCann, arguably the top catcher on the free agent market, has definitely proven his worth. In 2013, McCann ranked 8th among catchers (min. 300 PA) with an OPS of .796 and hit the fourth most home runs (20). McCann is one of the best catchers in the major leagues on a yearly basis, and his new contract definitely reflected upon his performance. McCann, 30 in February, has been selected to seven all star appearances, and has a career .277/.350/.473 slash line. In 2013, McCann hit .256/.336/.461 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI. Pitchers have had a 3.76 ERA when McCann catches, which is far above the MLB average mark of 4.20. His combination off offense and defense is a great addition to any team. The New York Mets have signed outfielder Chris Young to a one-year, $7.25 million, according to reports. Young, 30, has played eight years in the Major Leagues.
Young, last with the A's, has 144 career home runs and a career .235 batting average. In 2013, Young hit .200/.280/.379 with 12 HR and 40 RBI. He started 82 of his 107 games with the A's in 2013. He played all three outfield positions and DH for the Athletics. |
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