The Arizona Diamondbacks once acquired Dan Haren from an AL West team based in California, and it worked out well for them. They have a chance to do it again and they should.
Haren was an All-Star with postseason experience when the Diamondbacks traded a package of minor leaguers to the Oakland Athletics for him. They surrendered Brett Anderson and Carlos Gonzalez in the deal.
He did not miss a beat when he arrived in the desert. He continued to make the All-Star team and was a Cy Young contender.
As the Diamondbacks fell out of contention in 2010, he was traded, along with his contract extension, to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Joe Saunders was the main player in the deal. But the Diamondbacks also acquired young pitcher Patrick Corbin and another starting prospect Tyler Skaggs, who has become one of the best arms in Arizona’s system.
The Diamondbacks are going into 2013 with a very young and talented rotation. Trevor Cahill, Ian Kennedy and Wade Miley make up a solid under-30 core. Corbin, Skaggs and Trevor Bauer could develop into terrific starters soon.
But the Diamondbacks could use a veteran pitcher in the rotation to help ease in the young pitchers and give the squad the depth needed to compete with the World Series champion San Francisco Giants.
With Haren available, he could fit the bill perfectly. The Angels are all but certain to buy out Haren’s $15.5 million option to make him a free agent.
While he is no longer a Cy Young contender and 2012 was his first full season in the majors where he failed to pitch 200 innings, he still has tremendous value.
He would be as good of a No. 3 or 4 starter as there would be in the National League. Plus, his place in the rotation would allow the Diamondbacks the luxury of not rushing Bauer or Skaggs.
With the trade for Heath Bell and picking up J.J. Putz, the Diamondbacks are hoping their bullpen will be a deep one. Bringing in Haren would make rotation one of the best in baseball.
With pitching depth the key to championships this decade, a reunion between Haren and Arizona makes more and more sense.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com