UPDATE: The trade has fallen through. Haren't option has been declined. New post coming in 3… 2…
Details are still trickling out, but it appears that the Angels have finally pulled the trigger on the inevitable Dan Haren trade. Multiple Spanish-language reports claim that Haren has been dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Carlos Marmol.
Carlos Marmol (Cubs) have been traded to the Angels. The pitcher confirms the move to @elcariberd. "Anaheim is a good team".
— Yancen Pujols (@YancenPujols) November 2, 2012
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The exact details of the package are not yet known as there is speculation that other players may be coming with Marmol and there is the small matter of sorting out all the money involved as Haren is owed $15.5 million and Marmol $9.8 million. Both players are in the final year of their contract.
Until we know the exact details, we'll have to reserve judgment on the intelligence of this deal, but so far it has many Angel fans feeling queasy. At a minimum, we know the Angels now, presumably, have a new closer. One could certainly make an argument that Marmol and his career 6.03 BB/9 rate isn't even the third best reliever in Anaheim right now, but he does have the vaunted "proven closer" title on his resume. He also is coming to the Angels on the heels of one of his worst seasons having temporarily lost his closer job and even getting demoted to the minors at one point. He did seem to regain his form as a often wild strikeout machine after being recalled though, so there is hope that he has worked through his issues. But even with those concerns, there is little doubt that Marmol improves the overall talent level of the Angel bullpen, which was a major area of need.
That's it for now, check back in with this post later once the deal is finalized and the details are fully revealed.
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