With a deadline of later this week looming for Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto on whether to exercise the contract options for pitchers Dan Haren and Ervin Santana or let them walk as free agents, rumors flew that the Angels were desperately trying to trade one or both of the righthanders.

Desperation has apparently turned into reality, at least for one of the pitchers:

Source: #Royals acquire Ervin Santana from #Angels. Return not yet known.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 31, 2012

Santana had a rough year for the Angels in 2012 after throwing a no-hitter in 2011. He was 9-13 with a 5.16 ERA and led the American League in home runs allowed with 39. Santana turns 30 in December and apparently the Royals feel they can get him straightened out.

UPDATE: Jon Morosi of Fox Sports has the scoop on who the Angels received:

Sources: #Angels receive Brandon Sisk in Ervin Santana trade.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 31, 2012

Sisk is a 27-year-old lefthander who has been in the Royals' minor-league system since 2008; in 2012 he had a 2.54 ERA and 1.351 WHIP in 50 relief appearances for Triple-A Omaha.