The Chicago Cubs told closer Carlos Marmol the proposed trade to send him to the Los Angeles Angels for pitcher Dan Haren has fallen apart, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.
The person spoke Friday night on condition of anonymity because the trade did not get completed. Earlier Friday, a source confirmed to ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine that Marmol had been traded to the Angels.
Marmol's contract gives him the right to submit a list of up to five teams he can't be traded to without his consent. The person said Marmol told the Cubs he would consent to the trade, but would not say whether the reliever provided his written consent.
The potential deal was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. A spokesman for the Cubs declined to comment.
The Angels, unable to complete a trade, declined Haren's $15.5 million option, making him a free agent. The team paid $3.5 million to buy out Haren's option. The 32-year-old right-hander went 12-13 with a career-worst 4.33 ERA in 30 starts this year and was on the disabled list for the first time.
Haren, a three-time All-Star from 2007-09, would be the second starting pitcher traded by the busy Angels in three days. Los Angeles shipped Ervin Santana to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday for minor league left-hander Brandon Sisk.
Marmol, an All-Star in 2008, had 114 saves for the Cubs over the past five years. Yet he lost his job as the team's closer several times due to ineffectiveness and a lack of control.
The 30-year-old righty was 3-3 with a 3.42 ERA in 61 appearances this year. He had 20 saves in 23 chances but walked 45 in 55 1/3 innings.
Marmol is set to make $9.8 million next season and then can become a free agent. He had a career-best 38 saves in 2010, when he struck out 138 in 77 2/3 innings and finished an NL-high 70 games.
By cutting ties with Haren and Santana, the Angels enter 2013 with only two locks for their starting rotation, Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson. The move puts further pressure on the Angels to re-sign Zack Greinke or land another starter or two via free agency or a trade.
"We're not isolated on Zack Greinke as a stand-alone," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. There are a lot of pitchers out there on the open market."
Dipoto indicated it's unlikely Haren or outfielder Torii Hunter will return to the Angels, though the team still could technically sign either free agent.
"Anything is possible," Dipoto said, "but I can't say anything is likely."
In cutting ties with Hunter after five seasons, the Angels open up a starting center field spot for Peter Bourjos, who was relegated to the bench for much of 2012. Rookie of the Year lock -- and MVP contender -- Mike Trout would shift to left field. Dipoto said Vernon Wells will enter next season -- presuming he's not traded first -- as the team's fourth outfielder. Mark Trumbo, who mashed 32 home runs, but slumped badly in the second half, will take over right field from Hunter.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.