Report: Angels Exploring Possible Trades for Dan Haren, Ervin Santana

by Ricky Doyle on Tue, Oct 30, 2012 at 11:57AM

The Angels didn’t meet their expectations in 2012, and the biggest reason was that the starting pitching wasn’t as good as advertised. Now, the Angels have some decisions to make, and it looks like they could be shopping a couple of hurlers.

According to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, the Angels are talking to teams about possible trades for either Dan Haren or Ervin Santana.

Both pitchers took a step backward last season after enjoying some success in 2011. And while there’s a chance each could bounce back in 2013, the Angels have to decide by Wednesday whether or not to pick up their costly options.

Haren’s option is for $15.5 million and includes a $3.5 million buyout, while Santana’s option is worth $13 million and includes a $1 million buyout. The Angels may opt not to pick up the options in the hopes of re-signing pitcher Zack Greinke, who is a free agent but performed well for them after coming over in a deal with the Brewers.

Heyman reports that a source has indicated that the trade talks are “very real,” although if the Angels don’t trade the pitchers or exercise their options by Wednesday, the two would become free agents.

Santana, 29, went 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA in 30 starts after going 11-12 with a 3.38 ERA in 2011 and winning 17 games in 2010. The right-hander is 96-80 with a 4.33 ERA over the course of his eight-year career.

Haren, a three-time All-Star, went 12-13 with a 4.33 ERA in 30 starts last season. The 32-year-old is 119-97 with a 3.66 ERA in his 10-year big league career, which also includes stops in Arizona, Oakland and St. Louis.

Click here to see free agent pitchers the Red Sox could pursue >>