Loading ...Rosecrans is reporting that Harang has been signed to a four-year deal, with a club option for 2011. Details at 2:00 PM, Eastern. By my math, that buys out his first two years of free agency.
UPDATE: Rosecrans is reporting that the deal is for $36.5 million (including the 5th year buyout). If you figure Harang was going to make something around $12M this year and next, through arbitration, that’s about $12M a year for his two free agent years. That’s a pretty good deal, especially if you believe that the recent inflation rate will continue.
UPDATE (by Chad): Here’s the MLB.com story. Relevant excerpt:
The Reds avoided arbitration with ace starting pitcher Aaron Harang on Tuesday when they signed him to a four-year, $36.5 million contract through the 2010 season with a club option for 2011.
Kudos to GM Wayne Krivsky on this one. Very good signing.
YES!!!!!
Boy, this sounds like a great move!!! Kudos…
I’m surprised at the length of the deal, and am eager to see the numbers.
Alright! I have always thought that 4 years was ideal for a long term deal for a starter. This could also make Cinci a little more attractive to other FA’s.
Just watched the press conference. That was pretty anticlimactic – 3 questions. I guess there’s a blizzard on and everybody wants to get home.
Finally some good offseason news…now back to signing more 40 year old lefties and light-hitting utility men.
…and catchers, John R. Don’t forget the catchers.
Wait a minute. This means that our highest paid pitcher is no longer named “Milton”, correct? Hey, I don’t have to hold my head in shame around fans of other clubs any more. Yes, more reason to celebrate….
This was over on Red Reporter. Thought it was very interesting. Hopefully both Aaron and Bronson stay healthy again and can repeat this feat for innings pitched:
Tops
Arroyo led the majors in innings and Harrang was third (Brandon Wedd was second) They easily were the top duo from each team.
Arroyo/Harrang 475 innings
Smoltz/Hudson 450 innings
Zito/Harren 444 innings
Webb/Batista 441 innings
I understand that Saarloos is an inning eater. If this stays true to form, perhaps we won’t over expose our bullpen and not have to pitch those creaky ol’ arms so much.
This was over on Red Reporter. Thought it was very interesting. Hopefully both Aaron and Bronson stay healthy again and can repeat this feat for innings pitched:
Tops
Arroyo led the majors in innings and Harrang was third (Brandon Wedd was second) They easily were the top duo from each team.
Arroyo/Harrang 475 innings
Smoltz/Hudson 450 innings
Zito/Harren 444 innings
Webb/Batista 441 innings
I understand that Saarloos is an inning eater. If this stays true to form, perhaps we won’t over expose our bullpen and not have to pitch those creaky ol’ arms so much.
Can I start to get optimistic now about the season? Dare I?
If Bray can have a breakout year and Weathers, Majewski, and the rest of the bullpen can hold down some degree of respectablility, then I actually do think we have one of the better pitching/defense clubs in the NL.
If we could get a reliable closer (I like the Hermanson idea) and one BIG bat, I see no reason why this team could not compete for titles this season. Definitely could use a clutch hitter though.
Still too many holes . . .
Ifs, ands, and buts don’t win pennants.
That third outfield slot has to be addressed. In a very large way.
Did anyone else feel like Krivsky was almost justifying the amount of money they spent? He threw out that Harrang belonged with Randy Johnson and Don Drysdale as the only pitchers to lead in strikeouts and another category. I mean c’mon I really think that with the salary inflation on pitchers Harrang is a steal. I certainly think he is more valuable then Jason Schmidt. In short, no justification was needed.
The Kriv haters should stop talking for at least one day. Good deal at a bargain rate considering what second tier guys like Lilly made this year.
Since I’m giddy on Kool-Aid today, it’s possible, at least, that Denorfia becomes a legitimate contributor in either CF or RF. I’m not sure that even his upside is that high, but he could help out. (PECOTA has his 90th percentile projection at .326 .398 .523 with only 11 SB; his 50th percentile is .293 .361 .452). Actually, these projections are pretty similar to those of one Austin Kearns (90th pct: .290 .392 .543; 50th pct: .262 .356 .463).
finally something to celebrate
Just to go on record: This is a very good signing. It’s always scary to sign pitchers to 4-year deals, but I see Harang as a (relatively, of course) safe injury risk (knocking wood), and the price is “low” enough to be tolerable, even if something does go wrong.
The way I look at it, Harang was worth it at 3 years and $36 mil. (the fact that he is still in an arbitration year notwithstanding). Looking at it that way, it’s an extra year for free.
I’m looking at Vincente Padilla (3/$33.5), Javier Vazquez (4/$45), and recently-signed Jason Schmidt (3/$47), not to mention the larger & more obviously risky deals for Zito and Meche and Lilly . . . and this contract with Harang looks very solid. “A” for the Day, to the GM.
’bout time!
I am pleased with this signing … now may Kriv work on adding some pop to the lineup
Well, you can scratch Joe Mays off your wish list….he just signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers. I hope he makes the big league club just before our West Coast swing.