Rangers sign Rich Harden to one year deal

Posted on December 10, 2009

Oakland Athletics pitcher Rich Harden pitches against the San Francisco Giants at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA June 26, 2005. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

The Texas Rangers traded away veteran right-handed pitcher Kevin Millwood this afternoon but replaced him in their starting rotation by signing 28-year-old right-hander Rich Harden to a one year contract worth $7.5 million late this evening. The Rangers are taking a gamble on the often-injured Canadian-born righty, but it is a gamble that is well worth it. When healthy Harden carries no-hit stuff to the mound each and every night.

I have been following Harden’s career very closely since I first photographed him making his Major League debut on July 31, 2003 in Oakland (see above). When he came up from AAA Sacramento Harden was a highly-touted prospect who threw in the high 90’s with one of the most effortless deliveries I have ever seen.

Harden joined a talented starting staff in Oakland led by the Big Three of Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito. Even though he was the baby of the staff, Harden was always the guy who intrigued me the most. His electric stuff allowed him to average one strikeout for every inning pitched.

After putting together a few nice years in Oakland Harden started running into oblique and shoulder problems that would hamper him for the next several years. He was only able to start 9 games in 2006 and 4 games in 2007. Harden started the 2008 season healthy and got off to a strong start before landing on the disabled list again in April. By now he had FRAGILE stamped across his forehead and everyone wondered if he would ever be healthy enough to live up to his promise.

The A’s were going nowhere in the middle of the 2008 season and Harden was back on the mound and throwing as good as ever. It became apparent that he would be dangled by general manager Billy Beane as trade bait to a contender before the July 31 trading deadline. Harden was finally dealt along with pitcher Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs on July 8, 2008, in a six-player deal. The Cubs traded away Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallagher, and a minor league catcher.

I was really rooting for Harden when he got to Chicago. The Cubs were leading the National League Central and I really thought he would be able to lead them deep into the post season. He made his Cubs debut on July 12 against the San Francisco Giants, leaving the game with a 7-0 lead after pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out 10. I watched the game on TV and he was NASTY. Unfortunately the Cubs bullpen would blow the lead and he would end up with a no-decision. This is the type of bad luck he often suffered through in Oakland, and his bad luck was following him to Wrigley Field.

Harden ended up going 5-1 with the Cubs in 2008 but slipped to 9-9 in 2009 with a ghastly 4.09 ERA. The Cubs did not offer Harden salary arbitration after he made $7 million in 2009, so he was left on the free agent market to find his own deal. I have always enjoyed watching Harden pitch and I am glad he landed with the Rangers. He will be reunited with old friend and former A’s coach Ron Washington, who pilots the Rangers. I will also get a chance to have an early look at him in Rangers blue when I venture over to the Rangers complex in Surprise, AZ in March of 2010. I will be rooting for Harden. If he is healthy look out!