2015 Phillies Rotation Candidates
By Matt Veasey
Harang is a 36-year old, 13-year big leaguer who has won in double-digits 7 times, including 12 wins a year ago.
(Photo Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)
Back in early January the Phils signed veteran free agent Aaron Harang to a 1-year, $5 million contract. Much as with Billingsley, they signed a proven veteran for little money and a short term, hoping to catch lightning in a bottle.
But different from the Billingsley situation, Harang doesn’t come with injury baggage. His issue is that he turns 37 years old in May. Harang has won in double-digits in 3 of the last 4 seasons, including having gone 12-12 a year ago with the Braves. He has 7 of those double-digit win seasons in his 13-year career, and has reached at least 160 innings pitched 9 times.
The Phillies could be getting almost anything with Harang, but they clearly hope that he continues to defy Father Time. He likely enters the spring sitting in the #3 starter spot, and has a bit more rope than many of the other candidates.