The Cubs can either let Harden go or attempt to negotiate a trade with the Twins.
Harden, Heilman awarded claims to Twins, Giants
I have to imagine the Cubs would try to get something in return, but if not, they might just let him go and save about a month's worth of his salary.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Or they can pull him back off waivers.
Originally Posted by redsfandan
Well, yes. I kind of phrased that differently than how I meant it.
"No matter how good you are, you're going to lose one-third of your games. No matter how bad you are you're going to win one-third of your games. It's the other third that makes the difference." ~Tommy Lasorda
Consider the Twins also picked up Ron Mahay and Jon Rauch, they're certainly buying. Good to see the Twins pushing for once. I wonder if it's driven buy the Mauer and Morneau long term situation -- either showing them that they're trying to win to get a long term deal done or trying to win while they still have them...
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
I don't see this as building. Harden is a 5-6 inning tops, injury prone pitcher, who will be a free agent after this season. This may help them to stay in contention in the AL Central, but I think both the Sox and Tigers are better, and they aren't taking the WC.
The Cubs would have to be stupid to not deal Harden. Guy just isn't anything more than a middle to back of the rotation pitcher due to his injuries and innings limits.
•The Cubs are more open to dealing Rich Harden to the Twins than you might think. The Cubs could receive two high draft picks if they offer Harden arbitration after the season and he signs elsewhere, but that's a risky strategy. Given his injury history, the club might not want to take a $10MM or so hit if he accepts, even for only one year.
•The bigger question with Harden may be how aggressive the Twins will be in trying to deal for him. Remember that stars Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan have said the team needs more to contend, with Morneau mentioning that the team needs to impress Joe Mauer since he's due to become a free agent after next season.
SATURDAY, 4:02pm: Ken Rosenthal said during a segment on FOX Saturday Baseball that a deal between the Twins and Cubs for right-hander Rich Harden could indeed happen.
Rosenthal made a couple of valid points: First, Harden is an impending free agent and the Cubs could always re-sign him in the winter. Second, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau have been pining for help and would be more inclined to sign long-term deals if Minnesota management shows a desire to win this season.
Joe Mauer isn't going anywhere unless he just prices himself out of their ability to pay him. He is from there and he will stay there. They will pay him as well. Minnesota can not let him walk for any reason other than him simply wanting out and being vocal about it. I can't see that happening. Either way, Rich Harden is not going to make the difference.
"My mission is to be the ray of hope, the guy who stands out there on that beautiful field and owns up to his mistakes and lets people know it's never completely hopeless, no matter how bad it seems at the time. I have a platform and a message, and now I go to bed at night, sober and happy, praying I can be a good messenger." -Josh Hamilton
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