Dan Haren Returns Home, Should Give Los Angeles Dodgers Major Boost

Dan Haren

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Dodgers are likely to lose a big arm to free agency in Ricky Nolasco, so Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti had to get creative when it came to bolstering the team’s starting rotation. In an attempt to fill the void left by Nolasco, Los Angeles agreed to a one-year $10 million deal with starting pitcher and 11-year veteran Dan Haren.

As a California native, Haren definitely had the Dodgers circled going into the offseason considering he spent the first 20 years of his life in the state of California. Once Haren makes his first start for the Dodgers he will become one of just a handful of players to have suited up for three different California teams — the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels are the other two.

See: Los Angeles Dodgers: Dan Haren Signing Puts End To David Price, Masahiro Tanaka Talks

Either way, bringing a consistent arm like Haren back to his hometown is a great move by Colletti. Now, the Dodgers’ already-strong rotation is even more potent with Clayton Kershaw as the dominant ace, Zack Grienke as the best No. 2 in baseball. After that, young phenom Hyun-jin Ryu is pegged at three as Haren will serve as the team’s No. 4 starter. Haren is a perfect in this role as the wily right hander may have lost a little speed, but is no stranger to the bright lights. For years, Haren was thought of as one of the most potent pitchers in the league serving as the ace for at least three teams in his past.

The NL West isn’t as strong as it once was and this move just puts the Dodgers even further ahead of spotty teams like the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Devin O’Barr is the Content Commentator for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DevinOBarrRS, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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