Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - A deal that would have brought Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Dan Haren to the Chicago Cubs came off the table Friday night.

The Angels then declined to exercise the 2013 option on his contract, and Haren became a free agent.

Earlier Friday, reports were rampant that the Cubs were acquiring Haren in exchange for reliever Carlos Marmol.

After the trade fell through, the Angels faced a midnight (et) deadline to pick up the $15.5 million option on Haren's deal, but instead invoked a $3.5 million buyout.

Haren, a 32-year-old right-hander, fashioned a 12-13 record with a 4.33 ERA in 30 starts last season, his final campaign of a three-year contract. A three- time All-Star, Haren has compiled a 119-97 record with a 3.66 ERA in 296 games (286 starts) with St. Louis, Oakland, Arizona and the Angels.

Marmol, who is entering the final season of a three-year contract with the Cubs, is set to make $9.8 million in 2013. He went 0-3 with a 3.42 ERA and 20 saves in 61 appearances last season, his seventh at the major league level. The right-hander has spent his entire big league career with the Cubs.

The Sports Network