Haren traded to Cubs for prospects
MIAMI -- Dan Haren, the Marlins' most consistent starter in the first half of the season, was traded to the Cubs on Friday afternoon for two Minor Leaguers.
Haren, set to be a free agent after the season, became expendable once Miami fell out of playoff contention. So rather than retain the 34-year-old, one of the most respected players in the clubhouse, the Marlins sent him to Chicago and received shortstop Elliot Soto and right-hander Ivan Pineyro.
The Marlins also are sending cash to the Cubs.
"There's sadness when you have to trade players," Michael Hill, president of baseball operations, said. "Dan Haren has been a complete pro. When I notified him about the trade, I thanked him for his service to us and what he's done this year for the Marlins."
When Haren was acquired from the Dodgers at the Winter Meetings, Los Angeles agreed to cover the $10 million he would make this season. A portion of what Los Angeles initially sent to Miami will be going to Chicago.
Haren is 7-7 with a 3.42 ERA in 21 and 129 innings with the Marlins. With bonuses he can earn as much as $3 million more than his base salary. Per Cot's Baseball Contracts, his incentives begin once he makes 24 starts or logs 150 innings. He would receive $250,000 when he reaches 24, 27 and 30 starts, and an additional $500,000 for 32 starts.
As part of his bonus package, Haren will receive $250,000 for reaching each of these innings benchmarks: 150, 160 and 170. The figure goes up to $500,000 for 180 and 190 innings.
Haren, a three-time All-Star, made his final start for Miami on Wednesday, suffering a tough-luck 1-0 loss to the Nationals. He gave up one run in six innings.
He has a career 149-129 record and 3.75 ERA, with 1,969 strikeouts.
"I had a great visit with Dan," manager Dan Jennings said. "As an organization, we certainly want to wish Dan the best. Just to watch the way he interacts with the other teammates, and his mentorship with the young pitchers, and basically what he's done and what he's given us every fifth day, he's the ultimate pro. You hope for nothing but the best for him."
Pineyro, 23, started 19 games at Double-A Tennessee this year, going 7-5 with a 3.69 ERA while fanning 92 over 107 1/3 innings. He has a 1.248 WHIP in 419 2/3 innings over five Minor League seasons.
Soto, the Cubs' 15th-round pick in 2010 Draft, hit .275 and scored 47 runs in 306 at-bats while playing mostly shortstop for Tennessee this season. The 25-year-old has a .632 OPS over five seasons in the Minors.