OCTOBER 6: Haren has confirmed that he will, in fact, hang up his spikes, as ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers reports.
It is likely that the righty has already thrown his last pitch, though he said he would remain prepared in the event that the Cubs need him for the post-season. As Rogers notes, that seems unlikely barring an injury situation.
“If I don’t pitch in the postseason, that’s it,” Haren stated. “It’s been fun. Hopefully there’s a lot more games to go. … If my name is called, I’ll be ready.”
Even if he doesn’t get a playoff call, the veteran ended his career on a good note. Though he scuffled early upon his move to Chicago, Haren allowed just eight earned runs in 32 2/3 over his final six starts. All said, he tallied 187 1/3 innings of 3.60 ERA pitching on the year, making for a productive final campaign.
AUGUST 2: Newly-acquired Cubs righty Dan Haren is leaning towards ending his career once this season is over, Haren told reporters including MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat. Upon being dealt to Chicago, Haren tweeted that he would wearing jersey #50 as a Cub, which was his number when he first broke into the big leagues “and it’ll probably be my last.”
Expanding on that tweet, Haren left himself a bit of wiggle room but “I would say right now the chances are this will probably be it. I don’t want to say this is it and pull a Brett Favre. That’s why I said ’probably’ [on Twitter]. At least I leave myself a little way out. Chances are this is it. After the season, I’ll relax and see where I’m at. I definitely want to make a push to get to where this team wants to go.”
The decision isn’t a surprise, given that Haren considered retiring last offseason after being traded from the Dodgers to the Marlins. Haren has spoke openly about the difficulty of being away from his wife and children and his home in southern California, so it may be that an offer from a team in that region may be the only thing that changes Haren’s mind about retirement.
If this is indeed it for Haren, he’ll go out with an impressive 13-year stint in the majors that saw him make three All-Star teams and earn just under $81.5MM. Haren, who turns 35 in September, posted a 3.77 ERA, 7.6 K/9 and 4.07 K/BB rate from 2003-2014 with the Cardinals, A’s, Diamondbacks, Angels, Nationals and Dodgers. He’s still pitching effectively this year (a 3.42 ERA in 129 innings for Miami), which is why the Cubs pursued him at the deadline to bolster the back end of their rotation.
He sounds like a drama queen. Baseball has made you money. Demanding a place to play is childish. Think of all the kids out there wanting to crack the MLB – think of the international prospects that live and breathe baseball. Do they get a say like this? Does this set an example? If you don’t want to play, then retire. Don’t parade around like a fussy teenager throwing a these messages to the media. What does that do for team chemistry? Nevermind wanting to go to a contender, this guy just wants to live in LA. The only reason he hasn’t retired after being traded is because he ended up in sunny Miami. Him and A.J. Burnett can go fishing somewhere where no one gives a crap.
Yeah, what kind of monster thanks everyone for the opportunity then goes home to spend time with his wife and kids?
Well said, sourbob (though you are clearly not the most sour on this thread).
If I were the Angels, Dodgers or Padres I would be very interested in Haren at the right price. And if it were really the “right price” I would make a deal with him allowing Haren to maybe skip a road trip now and then. He showed this year he’s still a quality pitcher.
See you in Cooperstown, Dan.
You won’t see Dan in Cooperstown as a Hall of Famer if that’s what you mean… guys been great but probably about half of what the average HOF pitcher is.
Haren has two more career wins than Kyle Lohse and eight fewer than Elton “Ice Box” Chamberlain. I assume you meant that Dan will be building a home in Cooperstown, Illinois upon retirement?
This one I think even I picked up on the sarcasm.
If Dan is in Cooperstown…he’ll be just another visitor. But he’s been a very productive pitcher. If I were the Padres, Angels or Dodgers, I would be very interested in giving him an incentive filled contract next year.
Just be quite and focus on winning games. The Cubs don’t care what you do after the season, they got you to help win games this season.
The Cubs also don’t have to read his tweets.
The guys thinking of Quitting before he Pitches for his Team in the Playoffs, His Focus should be on the Game , Not his personal Choices he wants to make !
yeah got a pitcher who’s heart won’t be in it..only the Cubs..only the cubs.
Wow he can still pitch but choses not to. I don’t get it. People dream of being in his position. But I’m sure there’s reasons other than he’s bored or tired of the game. At least I hope there are.
It’s probably that he’s made over $80 million and wants to see his kids grow up.
What a monster!