Angels give up Joe Saunders for Dan Haren

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The Angels have reached an agreement to trade Joe Saunders, minor league pitchers Rafael Rodriguez and Patrick Corbin and a player to be named later to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-hander Dan Haren (pictured at left).

Haren, 28, who has averaged nearly 15 wins a season over the last four years, is 7-8 with a 4.60 earned-run average this summer. He played high school baseball at Bishop Amat in La Puente. The three-time All-Star is owed more than $30 million through the final two-plus years of his contract, which includes a club option for 2013.

Saunders, 29, a 2008 All-Star, won 33 games the last two seasons but has struggled this year, going 6-10 with a career-high 4.62 ERA. He’s pitched better in July, however, losing his only two decisions but posting a 3.71 ERA. He held the Rangers to a run over seven innings in his last start but lost, 1-0.

Saunders is owed just more than $1 million for the rest of this season, after which he is eligible for arbitration.

-- Kevin Baxter