Breaking News: Dan Haren Traded?

The Los Angeles Angels were looking to unload Dan Haren and his $15 million option before he was set to become a free agent. It appears they have done so in shipping Haren to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for reliever Carlos Marmol. Details are coming in and it may not be the only person involved in the trade.

September 16, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher

(24) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-US PRESSWIRE

Marmol is a cardiac closer. He will keep you on the edge of you seat. Just ask any Chicago Cubs fan. He finished last year with 20 saves after being taken out of the closer role for a couple of months. He walked 45 in 55.1 innings pitched last year. This will be his age 30 season.Marmol led the league in games finished in 2010 with 70. His ERA that year was 2.55. Marmol has pitched 50 or more innings and given up more walks than hits four times.

It appears to me that Marmol will be the closer next year with Ernesto Frieri among others setting up Marmol. It also means that Zack Greinke absolutely needs to be re-signed.

The Angels rotation right now is Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Garrett Richards. That’s it. They must be very confident in being able to bring Greinke back in order to pull off a trade like this.

While Haren’s fastball has been going down in velocity every year, Marmol’s walk ratio has gone up. This is a trade that can work like a charm or completely blow up in the Angels’ faces.

UPDATE 9:30PM ET: Deal is not done according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Looks like situation may go until option deadline

UPDATE 9:39PM ET: According to Rosenthal Marmol has to waive no-trade clause. Once he does, deal is official

Update 10:42PM ET: Cubs have backed out of deal per Rosenthal

Update 12:09AM ET: Angels have declined Haren’s option per Alden Gonzalez. No Trade