A's Sign Rich Harden

"The A's have agreed to a major league deal with Rich Harden, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (MLBTradeRumors)."

I love that people get excited about this guy. He has never done anything, yet is treated like he's friggin' Ace. He has never had more then 11 wins in a season, and that 11 win year was back in 2004. He is constantly hurt, and now the A's have signed him to just be a bullpen guy. Maybe that will be good for him, because he still a good strikeout guy, but then again having this guy pitching every day (or every other day) probably won't work out with his injury history.

Rich Harden Sent To Bullpen

"Rich Harden is headed to the Rangers' bullpen after his second start since coming off the disabled list was not as effective as his first. The Rangers decided to switch fifth starters again, this time replacing Harden with left-hander Derek Holland, who will take the mound Friday against Minnesota (ESPN)."

Listen baseball world it is time for everyone to realize that Rich Harden is not good, and has really never been good. He has never won more then 11 games in a season, his ERA the last two seasons is in the mid 4's (5.17 this year). So, really I don't want to hear his name again. Holland is a solid young pitcher, and should give them better outings. The only way Harden can be useful is if he gives them a hand in the bullpen, and I bet this little experiment also does go well.

Rangers Sign Rich Harden

"According to an Associated Press report, right-hander Rich Harden has agreed to a one-year deal with the Rangers that guarantees him $7.5 million. Harden, in whom the Red Sox were supposedly interested, went 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA with the Cubs last season and has battled injuries throughout his career. The Rangers cleared room for Harden by trading Kevin Millwood to the Orioles on Wednesday (WEEI)."

The Sox were looking at this guy, but the Rangers jumped on him quickly. I love this move by the Rangers. It is only a 1 year deal, so if he falls apart again it will only hurt them in the short term. The Rangers have a ton of young talent coming up (Smoak, Holland, Feliz, ect), so this is a good move to get a veteran in there. I will be somewhat bold and say the Rangers are a playoff team next year. I love the moves they are making, and seem to have that nice mix of prospects and veterans that every team strives for.

Another Rich Harden To Sox Rumor

The Red Sox will be searching for some starting pitching this offseason and Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says free agent Rich Harden is a likely target.

Harden's durability was called into question with the Cubs, but McAdam says that would not be a problem with the Red Sox, who would not be expecting 30 or more starts.

Another possibility for the Sox could be Ben Sheets, who missed all of last season with an elbow problem. ESPN

NOOOOOOOO. The last thing I want the Sox to have would be Rich Harden or Ben Sheets. Harden is going to get injured and be the biggest pain in the ass for the Sox. He has pitched well in the NL, I just don't see him succeeding in Boston too well. What the Sox need to do is open up their wallets and farm system to the league and say we want your best players. I'm talking about Felix Hernandez, Roy Halladay, Matt Holliday, or anyone that opens up. If the Yankees proved anything to us this year, it's that you can buy championships, and I'm down for that.

Rich Harden To Boston?

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney speculates in today's blog on whether Harden will be offered arbitration by the Cubs. One NL official tells Buster that Harden will likely have a new home.

"He's got 'Red Sox' written all over him ? the Cubs won?t sign him, and the Red Sox will bring him on board for a decent base salary and some incentives," the official said. ESPN

I really hope this doesn't happen. Rich Harden is like the pitcher version of J.D. Drew and although he has been pretty much injury free this year, I don't buy it. He is a great pitcher, but his injury risk just isn't worth it. If I were Harden, the NL is where I would reside. He is proven to be an effective ace in the minor... I mean National League.

Rich Harden To Cubs

ESPN Reports: The Cubs will receive the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer John Donaldson.

I guess this is a decent response to the Brewers getting Sabathia. This year he is 5-1 with a 2.34 era with 92 Ks but has been an injury risk his whole career. You would think the Cubs would have learned after the Mark Prior, Kerry Wood debacle but with the Brewers making a huge move to land CC Sabathia they had to do something. The Cubs pitching staff gets stronger and with Big Z coming back, I believe this move put them back over the Brewers.