The San Francisco Giants announced on Tuesday that starting pitcher Tim Hudson underwent ankle surgery and will miss two months. Is it possible they explore options for other starters, specifically a trade for Dan Haren of the Miami Marlins?
With Hudson expected to miss the start of spring training, coupled with the fact that any potential setback will affect his status for Opening Day, the Giants have to address their starting rotation to avoid having issues once the season begins. It was already an area of need since Matt Cain is coming off of elbow surgery, Tim Lincecum was demoted to the bullpen in the middle of the season, and Yusmeiro Petit has only made 56 starts in seven seasons.
San Francisco missed out on signing Jon Lester, never planned on going after Max Scherzer, and is now reportedly "out" on signing James Shields. Haren may entice them, especially since the team inquired about the right-hander before they inked Jake Peavy to a two-year, $24 million contract, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Haren was traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Marlins during the MLB Winter Meetings even after he had told the Dodgers he planned to retire if he wasn't pitching on the West Coast. As a result, the Dodgers sent the Marlins Haren's $10 million salary for 2015 in case he opted to retire.
However, Haren isn't planning on retiring, but he did tell Miami last week that he does not intend on joining the team and would prefer to be traded to a club on the West Coast. According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, it appears as if the Marlins are going to grant him his wish.
"Expect the Marlins to trade the 34-year-old right-hander to a club out West," writes Frisaro. "Haren has already informed the team that he prefers to pitch closer to home, and with a team that has Spring Training in Arizona."
Based on the available options - Angels, Athletics, Giants and Padres - it looks like the Angels and Giants are the most likely destinations. Haren spent three seasons with the Angels from 2010 to 2012 and they're having some issues with their starting pitching because of Garrett Richards' injury and C.J. Wilson's poor 2014 campaign. However, they still have Jered Weaver, Matt Shoemaker and Hector Santiago and also acquired Andrew Heaney from the Dodgers in exchange for second baseman Howie Kendrick. The Giants, even after winning the World Series, seem to appear more desperate.
It's unknown what the Marlins will ask for in return for Haren or if they'll provide the recipient with his $10 million salary, but the Giants might be revisiting such a move, especially since they'll have leverage. Although Haren has been fairly inconsistent in recent years, he's proven to be durable throughout his career and he'll be a free agent when the season ends. The right-hander owns a career record of 142-122 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 1,881 strikeouts in 359 games (348 starts) with the Cardinals, Athletics, Diamondbacks, Angels, Nationals and Dodgers.
San Francisco is also looking for a corner outfielder, so don't be surprised if they make a few moves in the next month or so.
