The Boston Red Sox have been searching far and wide for a talented starting pitcher to add to their rotation. They were in on Ubaldo Jimenez, but he's headed to the Indians. They were in on Hiroki Kuroda, but he's not willing to move. They were in on Erik Bedard, but he looked bad in a Friday audition. So what's left? Jayson Stark has a clue:
Looks as if #Athletics & #RedSox closing in on a deal for Rich Harden tonight. That one also not "done!"
Let’s repeat: the Red Sox thought the fragile Erik Bedard looked shaky on Friday, so they have repotedly turned their attention to Rich Harden.
It makes sense, though. Harden is very similar to Bedard, in that he has all the talent in the world, and a completely unreliable body that drives his price way down. Harden was sidelined for a few months this year with a shoulder injury, which is nothing new, but he’s come back to start five games, flashing his usual good fastball and changeup. In 29-1/3 innings, he has ten walks and 30 strikeouts, showing that he can still succeed. It’s just a matter of keeping him on the mound, and from the looks of things, the Red Sox are willing to roll the dice.
No word yet on what the return might be, but Harden’s price is probably lower than Bedard’s, so it’s doubtful the Red Sox would cough up too much, if this rumor is true.
Rich Harden Trade: Rich Harden Isn’t Traded?
Shameful, shameful rumormongers. Turns out that Harden isn’t being traded at all. At least, he doesn’t think so:
Harden: “I’m here and staying here.“Oh. And from Susan Slusser, another indication that Harden is staying:
Read Article >MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox To Send Lars Anderson In Deal For Rich Harden, According To Report
This would explain why Anderson was removed from a Pawtucket game earlier in the day. On the surface, it seems a bit steep. Anderson was rated the No. 17 prospect in baseball prior to 2009 by Baseball America, and then the No. 87 prospect in baseball prior to 2010. But then, Anderson’s stock has been dropping. The left-handed first baseman is still only 23, but he’s plateaued in triple-A, posting a .775 OPS over more than 900 trips to the plate. He’s shown some discipline, but his power has yet to develop, which is wreaking havoc on his ceiling.
Still, considering that Harden is an injury-prone rental, the A’s will be happy to take a chance on Anderson. Plus, there’s the player to be named later. Oakland comes away with an intriguing young talent, and Boston comes away with a guy who could either help them win the World Series, or get hurt and do absolutely nothing at all.
Read Article >MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Reportedly Closing In On Rich Harden
Let’s repeat: the Red Sox thought the fragile Erik Bedard looked shaky on Friday, so they have repotedly turned their attention to Rich Harden.
It makes sense, though. Harden is very similar to Bedard, in that he has all the talent in the world, and a completely unreliable body that drives his price way down. Harden was sidelined for a few months this year with a shoulder injury, which is nothing new, but he’s come back to start five games, flashing his usual good fastball and changeup. In 29-1/3 innings, he has ten walks and 30 strikeouts, showing that he can still succeed. It’s just a matter of keeping him on the mound, and from the looks of things, the Red Sox are willing to roll the dice.
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