The Phillies have added an arm to the starting rotation in 2015 to fill a spot behind Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee. Veteran right-handed pitcher Aaron Harang has been signed to a one-year contract valued at $5 million. The 36-year old pitcher is coming off a 12-12 season with a 3.57 ERA with the Atlanta Brave sin 2014.
“Aaron brings a wealth of experience and durability to our rotation,” Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement on the team website. “He had a very solid season for the Braves last year and will complement the left-handers in our rotation nicely.”
Harang is not a name that is going to ignite much enthusiasm, not at the age of 36 years old with the kind of production he has had in recent seasons. Harang has not had a winning season since 2011 (14-7 with the San Diego Padres), although each of the past two seasons have seen a sub-four ERA. He did pitch just over 200 innings last season (204.1), which is right on par with what Hamels and Kyle Kendrick gave the Phillies and is about one fewer game than the player he ultimately is replacing, A.J. Burnett (213.2 IP in 2014).
Harang has enjoyed some success in Citizens Bank Park during his career. He is 5-1 in nine career games (eight starts) with a 3.93 ERA in the ballpark during the course of his career. How has he done against the rest of the NL East? Harang owns a career record of 16-20 against the rest of the division during his career. The only NL East team he has had a winning record against is the Phillies, for whatever that is worth.
It is my guess the Phillies will look to place Harang smack-dab in the middle of the starting rotation behind Hamels and Lee and ahead of Kendrick and whichever option ends up being named the fifth starter.
The Phillies say Harang will wear No. 34. The team also has one spot to fill on the 40-man roster after the signing of Harang.
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