Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and now Dan Haren. The Washington Nationals were bounced in the NLDS and they looking to improve on a 2012 season that saw them take the N.L. East.
Without a doubt, the Nationals have the best pitching rotation in the majors thanks to the acquisition of Haren as the Los Angeles Angels found him a bit too pricey.
Let's not forget, these are the same Nationals that paid a so far mediocre Jayson Werth, so they found a $13 million deal for a guy like Haren not much at all.
He has 10 years in the majors and has won at least 10 games in eight of these 10 seasons.
Haren has a career 119-97 record and can eat innings while healthy throwing close to 2,000 career innings.
Haren proves key for the Nationals as they could use the pitching depth in case they decide to sit a guy like Strasburg again, although, he will probably be allowed to pitch at least 200 innings in 2013.
He will be joining an already great pitching rotation who made a dramatic leap in 2012.
The Nationals were second in the majors in ERA at 3.33, third throwing 1,468.1 innings pitched and they struck out 1,325 batters, fourth best in the majors.
The Nationals prove that they want to win and they want to win now. Haren can only make their pitching rotation batter and will likely make up the back of the pitching rotation with Ross Detwiler who started 27 games in the 2012 season.
Gonzalez was absolutely amazing and Zimmermann finally put it together going 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA and is only bound to get better.
What is there not to like in Washington?
They have the 2012 Rookie of the Year, two potential Cy Young Award winners, a manager who has no problem grooming young stars and now, without a doubt, the best starting rotation in baseball.
Only the Tampa Bay Rays pose a threat and as always, those guys can always make a playoff push. If pitching wins ballgames then could a Rays vs. Nationals World Series be in store for 2013?
We'll have to wait and see if the Rays are willing to keep or trade James Shield.
Stay with us as we will keep you posted with all the deals that go down during the Winter Meetings and offseason in general.
