Ahem.... Harden to have surgery?

[morpheus]

Says the Commissioner:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1208154,CST-SPT-cubnt08.article

The team was not ruling out surgery for right-hander Rich Harden as they awaited results of exams by their medical staff before tonight's midnight deadline for exercising his $7 million club option for 2009.

"Not ruling out?"

[5laky]

Says the Commissioner:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1208154,CST-SPT-cubnt08.article

The team was not ruling out surgery for right-hander Rich Harden as they awaited results of exams by their medical staff before tonight's midnight deadline for exercising his $7 million club option for 2009.

"Not ruling out?"

I read if he gets his shoulder "cleaned up" he'd be ready by May.

Holy shit.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Don't exercise the option.

[RV]

Don't exercise the option.

So pay him more in arbitration? Good idea.

[PenFoe]

Says the Commissioner:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1208154,CST-SPT-cubnt08.article

The team was not ruling out surgery for right-hander Rich Harden as they awaited results of exams by their medical staff before tonight's midnight deadline for exercising his $7 million club option for 2009.

"Not ruling out?"

Wait, wait, wait...it only says "not ruling out surgery." I think we've all been following the Cubs long enough to know that these things rarely come to fruition. I'm sure this will be nothing more than say...a quick trip to Birmingham followed by 18 months of recovery time.

No need to panic.

[Eli]

Don't exercise the option.

It's $7 million. As good as Harden is, 15 starts from him is worth $7 million.

[LoneStarCubFan]

Don't exercise the option.

It's $7 million. As good as Harden is, 15 starts from him is worth $7 million.

Unless he plays the role of Mark Prior in 2009. Then it's not.

[BC]

How is Harden's option up today? Is it a deal where the option comes up a couple days after his team's last game? I thought option decisions were usually at the earliest a couple days after the World Series for that year ends.

[Waco Kid]

Says the Commissioner:

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1208154,CST-SPT-cubnt08.article

The team was not ruling out surgery for right-hander Rich Harden as they awaited results of exams by their medical staff before tonight's midnight deadline for exercising his $7 million club option for 2009.

"Not ruling out?"

I read if he gets his shoulder "cleaned up" he'd be ready by May.

Holy shit.

I'm not worried.

Harden will be back in time for next year's Cubs first round playoff wipeout.

[Hawkeye's clutchness]

Great trade. We get a guy who has a mysterious dumpster injury at a time we need him most, and is questioned with regard to his toughness after recovering, coupled with a starter who gives us 5-6 innings every 2 weeks and may need at least a scope. What did Philly have to give Beane to get Blanton? For us, while it seemed to be a steal at the time, it now looks to be garbage in, garbage out.

[PenFoe]

Great trade. We get a guy who has a mysterious dumpster injury at a time we need him most, and is questioned with regard to his toughness after recovering, coupled with a starter who gives us 5-6 innings every 2 weeks and may need at least a scope. What did Philly have to give Beane to get Blanton? For us, while it seemed to be a steal at the time, it now looks to be garbage in, garbage out.

Let's not forget that part, regardless of what happens with Harden and Gaudin (both of whom I still have faith in).

[Hawkeye's clutchness]

Great trade. We get a guy who has a mysterious dumpster injury at a time we need him most, and is questioned with regard to his toughness after recovering, coupled with a starter who gives us 5-6 innings every 2 weeks and may need at least a scope. What did Philly have to give Beane to get Blanton? For us, while it seemed to be a steal at the time, it now looks to be garbage in, garbage out.

Let's not forget that part, regardless of what happens with Harden and Gaudin (both of whom I still have faith in).

Yep. Don't think we got hornswaggled. I did like Gallagher, though I don't see him as anything greater than a servicable #4 or 5 starter.

[Andy]

Seriously, this surprises anybody?

[Andre Dawson's Creek]

Not.  One.  Bit.

[Neifilicious]

Seriously, this surprises anybody?

The only surprise is that it took this long.

He is Rich Harden.