Major League Baseball

Rockies trade Harang to Mariners

Published Apr. 11, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

Right-hander Aaron Harang is again on the move.

The Mariners, seeking to bolster their starting pitching, acquired Harang from the Rockies for minor league right-handed pitcher Steven Hensley.

The Rockies obtained Harang from the Dodgers on Saturday for catcher Ramon Hernandez, then immediately designated him for assignment with the idea of trading him.

Harang, who turns 35 on May 9, will give the Mariners an alternative to rookie right-hander Brandon Maurer or righty Blake Beavan, both of whom struggled in their first two starts.

The Mariners, however, might not have needed to make a move for a starting pitcher if they had kept veteran right-hander Jon Garland at the start of spring training. But they released Garland, who then signed with the Rockies and was impressive in his first start.

The deal required approval from the commissioner’s office because it involves a cash exchange of more than $1 million from the Rockies to the Mariners, according to a source.

Harang is earning $7 million this season, and also has a vesting option for 2014 that will vest at $7 million if he pitches 180 1/3 innings this season. If the option does not vest, he will receive a $2 million buyout.

The Dodgers included $4.25 million in the Hernandez deal, easing the Rockies’ financial burden. Harang went 10-10 with a 3.61 ERA in 179 2/3 innings for the Dodgers last season.

The Rockies will save more than $2 million after making the two deals involving Haran, according to a source.