Report: Cubs jump into chase for Angels' Haren

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JJ STANKEVITZ


Per CSN Cubs Insider Patrick Mooney, Jed Hoyer didn't comment on Angels starter Dan Haren yesterday, but the Cubs could be interested in acquiring a rental pitcher. Haren fits that bill, and on Friday morning, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported the Cubs are among the teams interested in dealing for the right-hander.

The Angels are attempting to trade Haren in advance of today's deadline to pick up his $15.5 million option for 2013. The 32-year-old dealt with a back injury and was ineffective by his standards, throwing 176 2/3 innings with a 4.33 ERA -- both the lowest innings mark and highest ERA of his career. From 2007-2011, Haren threw at least 215 innings with an ERA under 4 in each season, making three All-Star teams and finishing among the top 10 Cy Young vote-getters twice.

Earlier this week, Los Angeles dealt starter Ervin Santana -- also facing an option deadline -- to Kansas City for a 27-year-old Triple-A reliever. While Santana struggled in 2012, that's still a low return for a starter, so perhaps Haren could be had on the cheap.

We'll get a resolution on this sometime today, so stay tuned.