Dodgers Talking to Harang, Hairston Jr.

The Dodgers are working toward deals with right-handed pitcher Aaron Harang and utilityman Jerry Hairston Jr., according to a baseball source. The Dodgers signed lefty Chris Capuano to a backloaded two-year, $10 million deal last week and Harang is believed seeking more than that after going 14-7 with a 3.64 ERA for San Diego. The thinking is that the club could wind up with Capuano and Harang for roughly the $12 million in 2012 salary that they paid Hiroki Kuroda in 2011. The Dodgers have had interest in Harang for several years. With Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly already in the rotation, the additions of Capuano and Harang would give the Dodgers five starters with at least 170 Major League innings last year, although it would appear to block the path of promising rookie Nathan Eovaldi. General manager Ned Colletti has been pursuing Hairston for two years and the desire increased after Jamey Carroll left the club for Minnesota. Hairston can play all over, but that includes shortstop, and Colletti wants veteran protection with only rookie starter Dee Gordon and rookie backup Justin Sellers on the depth chart.  Hairston split 2011 between Washington and Milwaukee, hitting .270. He played all over the field, but only two games at shortstop. — Ken Gurnick