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Cubs likely to let Harden go

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There's no question Rich Harden and Reed Johnson would prefer to return to the Cubs in 2010, and in a perfect world, Jim Hendry would probably re-sign both. But Harden's injury-plagued history makes a multiyear deal unlikely, and Johnson may have to take a salary cut to stay. The Cubs aren't saying much about Harden, leading most to believe he's gone.

Chicago Tribune

Rich Harden, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Rich Harden, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
November 8, 2009  08:24 AM ET

Someone's gong to sign Harden He's one of the best when he's healthy. Sign him to an incentive deal based on number of starts.

November 8, 2009  09:02 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Someone's gong to sign Harden He's one of the best when he's healthy. Sign him to an incentive deal based on number of starts.

I agree but someone will ignore the fact he's a 29 year old that has never pitched 150 innings and give him guaranteed money for multiple years. 170 K's in 140 innings, even in the National league will make someone blink.

November 8, 2009  09:38 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

I agree but someone will ignore the fact he's a 29 year old that has never pitched 150 innings and give him guaranteed money for multiple years. 170 K's in 140 innings, even in the National league will make someone blink.

Never pitched 150 innings? That's insanity.

November 8, 2009  10:09 AM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Never pitched 150 innings? That's insanity.

140 last year and 148 the year before. Under 100 the 2 years before that. I don't think he was brought up until he was 25.

November 8, 2009  10:12 AM ET

I apologize, he pitched 189 innings in 2004. I was only looking at the last 3 years. After that he never pitched more then 148. He only pitched about 80 innings in 2003 and was hurt most of 2005.
Maybe increasing the innings so much between 2003 and 2004 wrecked him. He's never been the same.
Maybe limiting Joba's innings wasn't such an atrocity this year.

November 8, 2009  11:31 AM ET

When he first came to the Cubs this guy was almost unhittable, definitely one of the reasons the Cubbies did so well. Last year he could not stay healthy and a majority of the time he was mediocre. Some team will take a flyer on him as he has such potential. He will sign with some big payroll club, pitch 4 great games, then his shoulder will shut him down for months.

Enjoy NY, Rich.

November 8, 2009  11:47 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

When he first came to the Cubs this guy was almost unhittable, definitely one of the reasons the Cubbies did so well. Last year he could not stay healthy and a majority of the time he was mediocre. Some team will take a flyer on him as he has such potential. He will sign with some big payroll club, pitch 4 great games, then his shoulder will shut him down for months.Enjoy NY, Rich.

With all their injuries I doubt the Mets will take a chance on him.
With the Yanks it seems Cashman is hell bent on starting the guys he drafted. 2 years ago he went with Kennedy and Hughes and it blew up in his face. They didn't win a single game between them and Wang only made 9 starts.
With CC and Burnett in the rotation I see them resigning Petitte and letting Hughes, Joba, Wang, Kennedy and maybe Gaudin battle it out for the last 2 spots.
And then when that doesn't work they'll pick up someone after the all start break.

November 8, 2009  12:20 PM ET

Someone should sign him and put him in the bullpen. Maybe that'd help him stay healthier.

November 8, 2009  02:00 PM ET
QUOTE(#8):

Someone should sign him and put him in the bullpen. Maybe that'd help him stay healthier.

Don't know why the Cubbies didn't try that. It's not as if they had an adequate closer.

November 8, 2009  03:51 PM ET

If this guy has one full season he'll be in cy young contention no doubt. Dirty stuff

November 8, 2009  06:59 PM ET
QUOTE(#9):

Don't know why the Cubbies didn't try that. It's not as if they had an adequate closer.

Haha, Knobbie, the Bears lost again. They suck as much as you do! Don't even try to deny that they're your team

November 9, 2009  12:08 AM ET
QUOTE(#8):

Someone should sign him and put him in the bullpen. Maybe that'd help him stay healthier.

No way. You need to be able to rely on bullpen guys sometimes 3 or 4 nights in a row. This is a guy who was given extra rest between many of his starts and I would be shocked if he ever went more than 6 innings this season. Hard-on's arm would fall off if you moved him to the pen.

November 9, 2009  08:48 AM ET

I agree with letting Harden go, though I really hope they don't lose Reed Johnson. He's as good as anyone else the Cubs can put in the outfield and he's the kind of personality they need in the clubhouse.

November 9, 2009  02:04 PM ET
QUOTE(#11):

Haha, Knobbie, the Bears lost again. They suck as much as you do! Don't even try to deny that they're your team

Wow! It's great having my own stalker who follows me around, commenting about me instead of the fan nation threads I post in.

I'm really glad the Cubbies are bringing back Kennedy, Hendry and Piniella. Surprising that they couldn't pull off a wild card berth in the weaker league even though they got to play so many games against the Reds, Astros and Pirates. I expect to have another enjoyable season in 2010 commenting about Cubbie games.

 
November 11, 2009  07:22 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

Wow! It's great having my own stalker who follows me around, commenting about me instead of the fan nation threads I post in.I'm really glad the Cubbies are bringing back Kennedy, Hendry and Piniella. Surprising that they couldn't pull off a wild card berth in the weaker league even though they got to play so many games against the Reds, Astros and Pirates. I expect to have another enjoyable season in 2010 commenting about Cubbie games.

Yeah, kind of like the the way you stalk any story that has anything to do with the Cubs and leave some inane comment. You suck, you Cub infatuated j.a.g.o.f.f.

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