http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/01/rangers-matt-harrison-agree-to-extension.html

Rangers now have three excellent young pitchers locked up long term. Awesome.

I'm suspect he'll be able to justify $11 million AAV.

This is both a tradeable contract and one that will not weigh the team down if he does not perform.

Yu, Dutch, and Harry through 2017, awesome. That's not a bad core and was in actuality only a 3 yr extension past 2014 that doesnt take him into his mid 30s. Liking it.

This is a question for you old timers. When did the Rangers ever have this much long term stability with a solid rotation? This has to be undprecedented in the organization I would think. Great signing!

BABIP? I don't need no BABIP!!! Harry can pitch!

He's posted a 3.34 ERA in his last 400 IP. So he's either the luckiest guy ever, or he knows the Rangers play great defense and trusts his stuff more often than not. He's not flashy, but he doesn't need to be.

Last 2 years 400+ innings, 3.34 ERA, hasnt got hurt, very consistent, knows how to pitch without being reliant on a blazing fastball, gets a lot of groundballs to a stud infield intact for a few more years.

ESPN says he had a WAR of 6.2 last year, give or take however much you want off that he still put up way above $11M numbers, and a significant dropoff to a 3 or 4 WAR would still justify the contract and make sure we have a solid 2-3 guy in the rotation for a few years.

I'm less enthusiastic about the signings (although not unenthusiastic) than I am about what they say about the players involved in them.

Determined to succeed, not overly greedy or fame seeking, a prudent long term financial decision for your family. Kudos to both Derek and Matt.

Many in MLB could take a lesson from these guys.

Completely agree with you Joe. It's refreshing to see players actually sign a fair deal for both player and team. Kudos to him, he deserves it.

I wonder if the Dodgers would make the following deal:

Harrison, Darvish and Holland for Greinke...

They'd still be getting cash back in the deal...

Very happy for Matt. This is good for him, the Rangers, and their fans.

"So he's either the luckiest guy ever"

If you're going based on BABIP, I think Weaver's "luckier" than Harry. But really, at this point it seems like Weaver just outperforms his peripherals. He's good at inducing bad contact, which so far has led to a sustained BABIP significantly better than the norm. I'm starting to think Harrison might be such a guy too, at least as long as he has all-star defenders behind him.

If you're going on LOB %, Harry was 9th in the league in 2012 at 78.6%, which is a career high for him. The pitchers that left runners on base more often? Hellickson, Price, Sale, Dickey, Zimmermann, Weaver, Cain, and Cueto. That's pretty good company to be in.

"He's not flashy, but he doesn't need to be."

Exactly. He's not. In a sense, he's kind of a boring pitcher to watch. He doesn't have Yu's stuff or Feliz's heat. But he gets results. I'm glad he's locked up for a while.

From an old-timer, take my word for it....this is bar none the best young group we've gotten signed for a three year period ever! My off-season opinion has just gotten a HUGE boost! Don't be fooled by Harry's calm and quiet behavior. One doesn't have to have crazy things happen to be a star. Matt Harrison is the Moose Johnston of this decade in baseball. He is an anchor that holds things together but doesn't like to toot his own horn much. I personally love this guy, he is about team success and obviously likes the guys he plays with. GO HARRY!!!!!

The numbers can be a bit misleading and very team friendly for 2013 and 2014. This year his deal is for $5m and $8m for 2014. Then the TV money has kicked in and it goes to $13 for three years, and has an option in 2018 at $13.25 to $15.75, when he is 32. This could very well turn out to be an excellent sign, and if he maintains his success over the next two years, could always be a good trade chip, especially if Perez and Buckel, baring trades, have emerged by then.