Dan Haren

5 spot.)

4-Arizona Diamondbacks: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Jon Garland, Doug Davis, and Max Scherzer. 

It's always a pleasure to have two aces, and that's what Arizona has here in Webb and Haren. However, Haren had a fine year statistically in '08, but I detected a little deterioration in his stuff. Look out for that this season. Regardless, he should still be good for 15 wins in the offensively-challenged National League West.

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Starting Rotations"

pite sub-par play.  The poor competition plus the starting rotation headed by Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, and a resurgent Randy Johnson, will keep Arizona in the race throughout, but if they don't win the division they have no shot.

Continue reading "Seven Runs: Too Little, Too Early"

This is the third starting pitcher the Athletics have dealt this season, including Rich Harden and Dan Haren, who was traded to Arizona in the winter.  Blanton is only 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA this season, but there could be a method to GM Pat Gillick's madness.  Blanton is marginally better in the second half over the course of his career, and in two career starts against the Mets he is 1-0 and has not allowed a run in 15 innings.  The Mets will get to see him right away, as he is slated to pitch on Tuesday at Shea.  To make room in the rotation, Philly moved Adam Eaton, who was a career Met-killer until New York roughed him up last time they faced him, to the bullpen.

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Even though Dan Haren is affordable now, they didn’t hesitate to trade him because he will demand too much money by the time the team is ready to compete. Since not much is expected the team this season, Joe Blanton will surely be traded before the deadline, and if Harden and Crosby can stay healthy and produce this season, they would also make very tempting trade bait (especially Harden for a contender in need of pitching) and could potentially bring a decent haul of prospects. Given their track records, that remains a pretty big if.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: American League West"