Reds really need to sign Harang long term...

[Spitball]

"It seems like every time he goes out there he gets better and better and better," said Adam Dunn. "Just talking to other people on other teams that are facing him, he's not a comfortable at-bat, when you've got 6-(feet)-7 or whatever he is coming at you. And he knows how to pitch. He's going to be good for a long time."

Harang is very good right now, and he will get better. With Arroyo already in the fold through 2008, the Reds would be in great shape if they could seal a deal with Harang for several more years.

[2001MUgrad]

I would agree with that. He seemed decent last year. This year so far he seems really good and he'll be 28 next year, so he still has room to grow as a pitcher.

[UGADaddy]

Hopefully new ownership will turn around the old tradition of not signing good players long term. He turns 27 on Tuesday. I'd love to see him in a Reds' uni for another 5 or 6 years. How much do you think he'd be asking for? And when does his current contract end?

[Dunner44]

I'd really like to know when his current contract is up. If we can avoid arbitration with Aaron and lock him up for the next few years, then that would be huge for the team. I would have been willing to do this after his performance last year, and he seems to get better every year. If we can keep him and Bronson as our 1 and 2 guys, we have a very good front of the roatation. I think Harang has the ability to be a #1 starter in this league, and I can't wait to see what he can continue to do this season.

[redsmetz]

I'd really like to know when his current contract is up. If we can avoid arbitration with Aaron and lock him up for the next few years, then that would be huge for the team. I would have been willing to do this after his performance last year, and he seems to get better every year. If we can keep him and Bronson as our 1 and 2 guys, we have a very good front of the roatation. I think Harang has the ability to be a #1 starter in this league, and I can't wait to see what he can continue to do this season.

He's on a 1 year deal right now.

Aaron Harang p
1 year/$2.35M (2006)

re-signed 1/06 (avoided arbitration)

1 year/$0.44M (2005)

1 year/$0.36M (2004)
ML service: 3.061

[M2]

I'd really like to know when his current contract is up. If we can avoid arbitration with Aaron and lock him up for the next few years, then that would be huge for the team. I would have been willing to do this after his performance last year, and he seems to get better every year. If we can keep him and Bronson as our 1 and 2 guys, we have a very good front of the roatation. I think Harang has the ability to be a #1 starter in this league, and I can't wait to see what he can continue to do this season.

He's currently working on a one-year deal, though the Reds hold his rights until after the 2008 season.

I don't know that I'd put him in the #1 category. I suppose he could imitate one in a career year, but he's probably going to be a dependable #3 guy (200+ IP, sub-4.00 ERA) for a few years. Arroyo fits into the same mold. For a small market team like the Reds, a trio of #3 guys to go with a good offense, a solid bullpen and a capable defense could be just the ticket for a regular run at the postseason.

Anyway, like Spitball, I'd love to see the team hammer out a three-year extension with Harang.

[PuffyPig]

I suppose he could imitate one in a career year, but he's probably going to be a dependable #3 guy (200+ IP, sub-4.00 ERA) for a few years.

Last year, Harang's 200+ inning and sub 4 ERA placed him 41st among starters (in terms of ERA). With 30 teams in the major leagues, I'd suggest that would place Harang as a dependable #2 starter, especially considering that Harang pitched at GABP and in front of Cincy's horrid defense. His stats last year closely resemble Mark Mulder, who's often considered a viable #2 starter type.

[M2]

Last year, Harang's 200+ inning and sub 4 ERA placed him 41st among starters (in terms of ERA). With 30 teams in the major leagues, I'd suggest that would place Harang as a dependable #2 starter, especially considering that Harang pitched at GABP and in front of Cincy's horrid defense. His stats last year closely resemble Mark Mulder, who's often considered a viable #2 starter type.

I don't like dividing it up that way. I'm kind of Platonian when it comes to define pitcher quality. There's a universal model for what 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 starters are. A guy who throws 200+ IP with an ERA in the high 3.00s is a #3 starter. A lot of teams don't have a single starter that good (e.g. the Kansas City Royals and the 2003-2004 Reds).

So if you divide by 30 you skew the sample toward bad pitchers. IMO, if you want to create a winning baseball model then you need to think in terms of absolutes and not relatives. There's probably only a dozen #1 guys and 20 #2 guys in all of baseball.

[savafan]

I don't know that I'd put him in the #1 category. I suppose he could imitate one in a career year, but he's probably going to be a dependable #3 guy (200+ IP, sub-4.00 ERA) for a few years. Arroyo fits into the same mold. For a small market team like the Reds, a trio of #3 guys to go with a good offense, a solid bullpen and a capable defense could be just the ticket for a regular run at the postseason.

Worked for the '75-'76 Reds

[traderumor]

I agree as well. After a little bit of a bumpy start, his last 3 have been just magnificent examples of what can happen when you couple a tick above average fastball and slider with the ability to consistently locate to the target.

Let's talk dollars. If you give him 3 years, I'd be guessing it would be in the $12-15M range to get it done. With the steady improvement and an unexpected higher ceiling (meaning I think he has exceeded expectations each season he's been here), I see that as a reasonable offer.

[dougdirt]

Let's talk dollars. If you give him 3 years, I'd be guessing it would be in the $12-15M range to get it done. With the steady improvement and an unexpected higher ceiling (meaning I think he has exceeded expectations each season he's been here), I see that as a reasonable offer.

I would do that deal for Harang without a doubt. Hopefully something like that can happen.

[traderumor]

I would do that deal for Harang without a doubt. Hopefully something like that can happen.

As I continue to think about that range, with $2.35 getting it done this year, that about 3.75/5/6.25 with a couple million signing bonus to give him some up front money might make a good deal for both parties. Add some incentives if he goes all nuts and performs like an ace so that he gets paid like one.

[Gandalf the Red]

Let's talk dollars. If you give him 3 years, I'd be guessing it would be in the $12-15M range to get it done. With the steady improvement and an unexpected higher ceiling (meaning I think he has exceeded expectations each season he's been here), I see that as a reasonable offer.

Yep, exactly...

Re: 4/23/06 - Reds vs. Brewers Game Thread

Harang spryly throws out the runner.

(Again sending mental telepathy to Krivsky: 3 years, $14 million. Get it done, Wayne.)

I'd actually prefer that Krivsky prioritize something like this right now, and worry about trading for another starter in June or July depending on how things are going. (I just think that the trade cost for a starter that'll actually help might be higher now than it would be in, say, late June--too many teams are still in the race and not wanting to deal pitching just yet.)

In the meantime, if Harang puts together a couple more months at his current pace, the opportunity to sign him to this kind of a three-year deal may pass us by...

[kbrake]

I thought they tried to talk multi-year deal with him this offseason and him and his agent declined saying they wanted to wait and see where things were after this season.

[George Foster]

I thought they tried to talk multi-year deal with him this offseason and him and his agent declined saying they wanted to wait and see where things were after this season.

That's why we need to sign him now on the "come" ( craps lingo).
If the Reds keep winning, the money will be their with increased attendance this summer and selling Reds merchandise. Sign him now, before it's to late. Take the chance that he is "for real" and do the deed. 5 million dollar signing bonus, 3 year deal, 18 million, plus incentives for 16 wins, 20 wins, etc.

This is assuming that he want's to stay in Cincinnati. He is a California boy, he might want to pitch for L.A. or S.F. Both teams have the $$$$ If that is the case, we have no chance. He is from San Diego, I doubt they have the $$$.