The Chicago Cubs have been looking to bolster the back-end of the rotation, and the move made today has given them a reliable pitcher in the rotation with lots of experience.
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have acquired help in the back of their rotation with starting pitcher Dan Haren from the Miami Marlins.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, reported that the Marlins would get one pitcher and one position player back from the Cubs in the deal.
The Marlins received shortstop Elliot Soto and righty Ivan Pineyro from the Cubs, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Haren is a rental player that the Cubs are praying on to succeed at a high level. If Haren can put together a solid end of the season, the Cubs would get the help needed to make the postseason.
The 34-year-old has struggled to get his ERA under 4.00, but has been able to do that in 2015 with the Marlins. Over 21 games started, Haren has a dominant 1.093 WHIP and a 3.42 ERA. The right-hander has a record of 7-7 and has put together a fine year in his first with the Marlins.
The veteran has pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Marlins. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2001 MLB Draft.
In seven postseason appearances, two of which were starts, Haren holds a win-loss record of 2-0 with a 3.26 ERA. The last time he appeared in the postseason was back in 2006 as a member of the Oakland A's.
Haren is currently on a two-year, $20 million contract and should get a few calls during the offseason, which is when he becomes a free agent.
Soto was drafted in the 15th round of the 2010 MLB Draft by the Cubs. The 25-year-old has been in Double-A and Triple-A for the last five seasons and has not been able to make his big break in the majors.
Soto is having the best season of his Minor League career in 2015. He is hitting .275 with 18 RBI over 88 games. He has stolen five bases and has walked 55 times.
Pineyro, 23, is in Double-A this season. He is 705 with a 3.69 ERA over 19 starts, one of them a complete game.
The pitcher from Pepperdine University will serve as the fourth or fifth starter for the Cubs. Haren could pitch from the bullpen if the Cubs make the postseason, or he could be the fourth postseason starter. The flexibility of Haren is one of the reasons why the Cubs added him via trade.