LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. (AP) - Right-hander Aaron Harang and the San Diego Padres have finalized a $4 million, one-year contract.
The deal announced Monday at the winter meetings includes a mutual option for 2012 with a buyout.
The 6-foot-7 Harang spent the past 7 1/2 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, winning 16 games in 2006 and 2007. But he has struggled the past three years, going 6-7 with a 5.32 ERA last season when he was bothered by back spasms.
The 32-year-old Harang is from San Diego and went to college at San Diego State.
Harang said he’s healthy and eager to pitch for the Padres.
“I’m excited for this,” Harang said Monday night. “I think it’s nice to be able to get a fresh start. I’m looking to get back out there and get back to my 200-plus innings and help us try to do something.”
Harang joined the Padres on the same day they finalized a deal to send All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the Boston Red Sox for three prospects and a player to be named.
“I think the big thing is, we just need to find out who’s going to step up now and try to take over that role,” Harang said. “I know Adrian was the guy, but the cycle has got to change at some time or another, and hopefully we’ll find some guys. Obviously it was a good, solid team last year. They had some scrappy players, and that’s what you hope steps up, some scrappy players.”
The Padres finished 90-72 last year, falling one win short of a playoff berth.
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