[EDITOR'S NOTE]: Lewis Wolff is making like Tom Cruise so far. Course, we did the same thing with Hudson and Mulder. The real test would be to see if we keep Harden if he evolves into the star we all know he can be. - Blez

The Oakland A's announced Saturday that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Rich Harden on a four-year contract through the 2008 season with a club option for 2009.

Harden was one of the top pitchers in the American League after the All-Star Break last year as he went 8-2 with a 3.49 ERA and a .229 opponents batting average in 15 starts after the break. He tied for fifth in the AL in wins after the break and ranked sixth in opponents batting average and ERA. The 23-year old Harden was 11-7 with a 3.99 ERA and .242 opponents batting average in 31 starts overall. He ranked eighth in the AL in strikeouts with a team leading 167 and allowed just 16 home runs in 189.2 innings, an average of 0.76 per nine innings which was fourth lowest in the AL.

Harden made his Major League debut in 2003 and was 5-4 with a 4.46 ERA in 15 games, 13 starts. He owns a 16-11 record and a 4.12 ERA in 46 career Major League appearances, 44 starts. The native of Victoria, British Columbia was the A's 17th round draft pick in 2000.

The A's now have five players under contract beyond the 2005 season, not including Scott Hatteberg (club option for 2006), Keiichi Yabu (club option 2006) and Barry Zito (club option 2006). In addition to Harden, the other four players and the years they are signed through are: Eric Chavez (2010, club option 2011), Keith Ginter (2006), Jason Kendall (2007) and Mark Kotsay (2006).

I thought I'd include this link as well.  I'm not sure who to give the credit to, but here it is anyways...

http://www.ucscfootball.com/salaries.html