The Padres announced today that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Harang on a one-year deal worth $4MM that includes a mutual option for 2012. The contract will become official once he passes a physical.
Harang, a San Diego native, had interest in pitching for his hometown team, especially since Petco Park is pitcher friendly. The 32-year-old made 20 starts in 2010, pitching to a 5.32 ERA in 111 2/3 innings. His 2.2 K/BB ratio is solid, but not as impressive as it was from 2005-09 when Harang struck out 3.5 times as many hitters as he walked. A fly ball pitcher, Harang could thrive in San Diego because of Petco's spacious outfield.
Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune originally reported that the two sides were close to a deal while Friarhood, a fan site, confirmed the agreement. MLB.com's Corey Brock later tweeted the terms of the deal.
Aaron Harang + PETCO Park….made for each other!
Sure thing…He might even hover around a 1.60 FIP and a 1.60 ERA!
In all honesty Innie (and I use the italics in honor of you), what a great deal the Padres and especially for Aaron Harang, on a reclaimation project…And no better way to restore your value but pitching in Petco!
Those are respectable stats. I’m looking forward to seeing if he can achieve them because in keeping with his numbers of 3-5 years ago, I’ve been thinking Harang could do a lot better. What I have never understood, however, is how a fly ball pitcher like him ended up in a ballpark with dollhouse dimensions (obvious exaggeration so don’t freak on me, peeps), like Great American. Just it never made sense to me.
Ha ha…yeah, I do love my italics, Spanny. They help to create distinctions between different parts of my messages – even the gbaeldr….I mean garbled ones.
HAHAHAHAHAHA 1.60 ERA!?!??! Thats some wishful thinking my dude! the guys ERA was 5.32! A new stadium won’t change his ERA that drastically. He still gets hit and hit hard, they just wont go out of the park as often as they did at The Great American Ball Park. Last year Harang ACTUALLY pitched worse away from the hitter friendly Great American. His ERA away was 6.69 and home was 4.66. He only gave up 4 homers away from home opposed to 12 at home, but he straight up gets HIT. look for an ERA in the 4’s again buddy…
I completely agree with you, but why the crap did you say ‘my dude’? Who says that?
I’ve heard that – as well as much worse versions of it, if you know what I mean. Let it go.
I’m curious about what people think of this signing. 3 million may seem a lot for someone whose had a couple of bad years, but I think he’s gonna put up some pretty solid numbers in Petco.
cant wait!!
when a veteran player such as him comes around, 4 only 3 mm!!! i think the pads know they gotts steal. but. But i really hope this isnt another chris young, constant injuries and missing almost all of his starts…
I can understand the notion of not being able to have enough pitching. But for a team that was 2nd in ERA, WHIP, BAA and just lost their best offensive player while being one of the worst offenses in baseball. Why add another pitcher???
San Diego may as well just lie down. Ryan Ludwick is their only real offensive threat now. And that’s saying something.
There is a lot of offseason to go yet. They could add a bat maybe. You never know. Everyone thought they would not have a chance last season and they sure surprised me.
but they lost
Yes, but that was with better pitching and Adrian Gonzalez. They won’t add another Adrian Gonzalez. I doubt they can sign 2 players plus Ludwick’s production that will equal AGon.
because they lost Garland, Corriera, and Chris Young? Needed a vet and Aaron Harang could put together a nice season in Petco
If you mean “lost Chris Young” in the sense that they cleared enough payroll to sign Harrang.
If you mean “lost Chris Young” in the sense that they cleared enough payroll to sign Harrang.
Team Work! Thanks for the mention Mike.
Thank you Steve for getting the info out there!
your top tier pitching staff just became mediocre
just a small note. Aaron Harang had a 6-7 record with the NL’s top hitting lineup. Now he goes to one of the worst lineups in baseball with a career 4.33 ERA? He has nothing to compensate his 3-4 runs/outing average with that lack luster offense. Horrible move. And at the same time…great move for Giants fans ;]
You do realize he’s going from one of the biggest hitters parks to one of the biggest pitchers parks, right? Harang will be much, much, better pitching half his games in Petco then Great American Ballpark.
But yeah, the Padres offense sucks right now.
You do realize that away from Great American last year Harangs ERA was higher than it was at home? His ERA was in the 5’s on the road. The guy just gets hit and he will have ZERO run support. i see him only winning 5 games. Horrible move.
nl west plus petco park? revitalize your career. problem is what good is it to allow 3 runs when that padre offense can only score 1 run a game
CY YOUNG OF THE YEAR
I am calling it
Good Luck Harrang. Hope you can turn your career around, Was great watching you with the Reds over the last several years and I hope the best for him. Great person. Just a good guy in general. Also I do believe as long as he is strong and is not having issues with his back this could be a good chance for him to turn it around.
This could be a good pickup for SD. If you watch Harang from 06 and 07 to last season, you’ll notice he put on extra pounds, so much so that he couldn’t finish a lot of his pitches and probably caused his back issues. Hopefully he can drop some weight with a good offseason program and have a nice rebound year for both the Padres and his career.
Stay away from those California burritos my friend!
Harang is very good, look at his career stats.
He has a career era in the high 4’s man.
I guess this means Luebke isn’t joining the rotation at the start of next season? Actually, I have no idea what their rotation looks like right now. I presume Latos, Richard, and LeBlanc will all be there, but Chris Young is evidently on his way out (to say nothing of his health issues), Kevin Correia is (I think) leaving too, Garland is already gone. Harang is in, but that leaves a fifth spot. Stauffer? Luebke? What’s the deal?
definetly stauffer
Latos, Harang, Richard, and Stauffer with Luebke and LeBlanc probably battling for the last rotation spot. If LeBlanc is out of options he could be the long relief guy if he doesn’t win the job
Great deal for SD…everybody knows Harang has talent, and Petco will only help it. and seriously for 3 million dollars??????that should help teams out in later negotiations (ie Brandon Webb)
Good luck Aaron, might be the best for the money pickup. As a reds fan I think that being in Great American Ballpark was not a good fit for him being a flyball pitcher.
Best move made this off season by the Reds was not re-signing this “ace”
he is a great cheap alternative to Jon Garland. I love this deal for the Pads. he could prove to be an excellent signing in Petco Park
he is a great cheap alternative to Jon Garland. I love this deal for the Pads. he could prove to be an excellent signing in Petco Park
padre fans dnt get to excited im a reds fan and if u see him enough hes not tht great of a pitcher
Im pretty sure I wanted to gouge my eyes out when he took the mound.
This will make Harang the highest paid Padre and increase their total payroll to 4.3 million, at least until Bell and Ludwick settle their arbitration matters.