HAREN TO ANGELS
The Los Angeles Angels acquired pitcher Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks for pitchers Rafael Rodriguez, Joe Saunders, Patrick Corbin and a player to be named later.
What does it give the Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have an ERA of 4.42 this season (11th in the AL) and needed better pitching to overtake Texas in the AL West--especially after the Rangers recently landed Cliff Lee. To that end this is a huge addition for L.A. They have Haren's rights through 2013 (with 2013 a club option) at $12.75 Million each of the next two campaigns, and $15.5 Million in 2013. Yet those big bucks also come with pretty consistent dominance by Haren; while his 4.59 ERA is not impressive, he does have 141 Ks in 141 innings, and is coming off three straight All-Star appearances before this season. In short, he is an ace who, along with Jered Weaver, gives the Angels two great pitchers atop a very good staff.
What does it give the Arizona Diamondbacks
Now well out of the playoff race (at 22 games behind San Diego in the NL West), the D-backs drop significant salary here. Sending their ace to the Angels saves Arizona $25.5 Million over the next two seasons, and while they are losing a key cornerstone, he will be 30 in September and they don't appear close to contention. Saunders will help pick up the innings lost in the starting rotation, but he's very average. Meanwhile Rodriguez adds solid (if not great) organizational bullpen depth. The prize may be Corbin, who has progressed solidly as a strikeout pitcher in the lower minors this season. Meanwhile, the D-backs could get another young gem for the future in the player to be named later.
Fantasy impact
Player focus
Arizona Diamondbacks
player to be named later - Tyler Skaggs
