MLB Philadelphia Phillies

Aaron Harang Will Be a Nice Addition To Philadelphia Phillies

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By @Brad_Faber

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Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On Monday, it was reported that the Philadelphia Phillies had agreed to sign veteran pitcher Aaron Harang to a one-year, $5 million contract. Harang should ultimately prove to be a fine addition for the Phillies.

Although he will reach the ripe old age of 37 in May, Harang showed in 2014 that he is still capable of being a productive hurler. He had a rough 2013 campaign with the Seattle Mariners and New York Mets, but he bounced back with the Atlanta Braves last season, going 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA, an identical 3.57 FIP and a 1.40 WHIP in a 2.5 fWAR campaign. Perhaps most importantly, he crossed the 200 inning threshold for the fourth time in his 13-year MLB career, proving he can still be a workhorse.

After going 73-89 in 2014, the Phillies are seemingly in rebuilding mode, and they have already parted ways with Jimmy Rollins, Marlon Byrd and left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo. While signing Harang does not automatically return the Phillies to their 2007-11 glory days, he can be an effective innings eater in the middle or back-end of a starting rotation that would be fronted by Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee if the season were to begin today. Hamels, of course, has been mentioned quite heavily in trade rumors this offseason.

There may, however, be some concern as to whether or not Harang will be able to sustain his resurgence. While his 37.8 percent fly ball rate in 2014 was almost freakishly the second-lowest mark of his entire career and his HR/FB was also in great shape at 6.4 percent, Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia is known for being a rather homer-friendly yard. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Harang give up a few more long balls than the 15 he surrendered last season. Having spent much of his career with the Cincinnati Reds, however, he shouldn’t be a stranger to pitching in a hitter-friendly environment.

At any rate, adding Harang on a one-year deal appears to be a rather low-risk move. If nothing else, he should provide a solid veteran presence for the rebuilding Phillies.

Brad Faber is a Detroit Tigers writer and Sabermetrics columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

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