Marlins Rumors: Dan Haren to report to Spring Training?

The Dan Haren soap opera might never end.

According to Marlin Maniac’s favorite MLB reporter Joe Frisaro, Haren appears to be conditioning himself as if he plans on reporting to Spring Training next month with the rest of the staff, business as usual.

In his blog, Frisaro writes:

I’m hearing rumblings that Miami hasn’t given up hope the 34-year-old will have a change of heart and ultimately report to Spring Training with the rest of the pitchers and catchers on Feb. 20.Haren is doing his part, preparing himself for Spring Training somewhere. That place may end up being with Miami at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla.

Since the Marlins acquired Haren from the Los Angeles Dodgers last month, we’ve heard all kinds of rumors about the veteran pitcher’s destination. The team has been actively shopping the veteran, who says he prefers to pitch on the west coast to be close to his family. The Marlins haven’t found a suitable trade partner, however, and it appears Haren’s hand might have already been tipped. He threatened to retire if Miami didn’t trade him, but with each passing day it becomes more clear that none of his geographically-preferred clubs are eager to acquire his services.

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So, why hasn’t he just retired already? If Frisaro’s report is accurate and Haren is indeed prepping himself for spring workouts, why is he even bothering if he’s just going to hang it up if he doesn’t get his way? Haren, 34, doesn’t have the leverage he would have had a few years ago when he was a true top of the rotation pitcher. He is now a replacement-level hurler, who remains serviceable because he logs innings and doesn’t bottleneck bullpens. Haren’s “threatening” to retire doesn’t appear to deter the Marlins much; besides, they get $10 million whatever happens.

With pitchers and catchers reporting next month, if Haren truly planned on retiring to the west coast, why would he string his family and the Marlins along like this for so long?

Multiple teams have reportedly expressed interest in Haren, but none have made a major push to trade for him. The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies called, but talks never progressed to the point where a serious deal was on the table. No competent front office is going to give up much of anything for Dan Haren at this juncture in his career, and the Marlins are probably well aware by now.

Dan Haren knows he’s not the pitcher he once was, and might have to bite the bullet and pitch in Miami for at least the first part of 2015. At just 34 years-old, his career is by no means over. And if the saga continues, Haren would be best served to report to Jupiter next month. Then if he performs well for the Marlins he might attract a free agent deal with another team in 2016, or even at next year’s trade deadline. That, or he could do us all a favor and end the charade and retire already.

Next: Rockies Have 'Mild' Interest in Dan Haren, Drew Stubbs A Possible Return?