Will Aaron Harang Stay With The Atlanta Braves?

Aaron Harang had a, very surprising, good year for the Atlanta Braves.  In his 36-year-old season, Harang started 33 games for the Braves and went 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.400 WHIP.  In his 13 seasons pitching in the MLB, Harang has seven years of over 10 wins but in 2014 he had a career low ERA.

In 2013, Harang was traded by both the Dodgers and the Rockies to the Mariners in April for Ramon Hernandez, Steven Hensley, and cash.  He posted a 5.40 ERA in 143 1/3 innings for Seattle (who released him on September 1st) and the New York Mets.

Mid-Feburary of 2014, Harang was signed by the Cleveland Indians on a minor league deal and it looked as though he may have a shot at a starting spot in Cleveland’s rotation.  But late in March he was told he wouldn’t be on the Indians Opening Day roster.  Aaron requested and secured his release from Cleveland and on that same day, the Atlanta Braves signed him to a major league contract.

During his one outing during Spring Training, Harang allowed six runs over 5 2/3, walking one and striking out two.

Well, he eclipsed all expectations during the regular season with a 7.1 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 during the 2014 season.  He put up comparable numbers this year to his run from 2004 to 2007 where he had arguably his best numbers.  This year he had 161 strikeouts, he highest total amount in a season since 2007 when he had 218.

The Braves signed the 6’7″ 260 pound righty to a 1 year/$1M deal in March but don’t expect the Braves can get him to pitch in Atlanta for that price again….though he’s told reporters he wouldn’t mind staying.

Right now if everyone comes back healthy the Braves could have a rotation of Julio Teheran, Mike Minor, Kris Medlen, Alex Wood, and Brandon Beachy.  But Medlen and Beachy are both coming off their second Tommy John surgeries and to trust their reliability would be a mistake.

Though already 36, Harang still could have more good seasons on the mound and possibly his best years are ahead of him with a newfound pitch.

“I threw a lot more four-seamers when I was younger,” Harang told reporters.  “I had a coach show me how to throw a two-seamer, and I started doing it, and every year it seems to be more effective.  Once you get used to throwing it and realize how key that pitch can be, you make those adjustments.”

I believe that many teams will be giving his agent a call this offseason and that the Braves will be one of those teams.  A reliable veteran is difficult to come by and teams know this.

My thoughts…Harang will be offered by the Braves another one year deal worth possibly around $5M.  Other teams will offer a two year contract but some team will come off the cusp and send a lucrative three year deal for around $15M.

Prediction: He will not be pitching in Atlanta for the 2015 season