For those of you who like to see Harden pitch

by VV A's fan on Dec 10, 2009 2:25 AM PST

You'll get plenty of chances this year, he's signed a 1 year deal with the Texas Rangers.

(this is my first fanpost, so cut me a little slack)

The Rangers sent Millwood to the Orioles for Ray and a player to be named later at the Winter Meetings. The player to be named could be the third pick in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft. Texas will also pick up $3 million of Millwood's $12 million salary for 2010, leaving it with a savings of about $7 million.

The Rangers will use that money to sign Harden to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million with an $11.5 million option for 2011. Harden was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 starts with the Cubs this past season.

Full story here: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091209&content_id=7783458&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Is anyone else worried by the offseason acquisitions of the other AL West teams and the lack thereof for the A's so far?

I think this is a good move for the Rangers if Harden can stay healthy. I really don't like this move for the A's if he does stay healthy.

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Weather

I think that the humidity down in Arlington could be a good thing for Harden. The humidity will keep his muscles loose and probably decrease the risk of tweaking something.

*Just an observation, I’m not a doctor

It's just more exciting with Billy Beane running the team.

by ru155 on Dec 10, 2009 7:00 AM PST reply actions

the worry for Harden...

(from this post on fangraphs)

…is that he has become more and more of a fly ball pitcher over the years, and that could be a problem in Arlington.

But obviously he still has great stuff, so I agree that it basically will just come down to his health.

by colin on Dec 10, 2009 7:41 AM PST up reply actions

This really should go without saying...

…but the fact that Harden is playing in the AL West does not necessarily mean we’ll get plenty of chances to see him pitch.

As evidence, I offer: the career of Rich Harden.

by Nate on Dec 10, 2009 7:39 AM PST reply actions 2 recs

Bingo! I was just about to start typing the same sentiment.

Every hitter likes fastballs, just like everybody likes ice cream. But you don't like it when someone's stuffing it into you by the gallon. That's what it feels like when Nolan Ryan's thrown balls by you. ~Reggie Jackson

by UncleLeo on Dec 10, 2009 7:40 AM PST up reply actions

good point.

I hope for his sake he has a full/healthy season.

by VV A's fan on Dec 10, 2009 10:06 PM PST up reply actions

++1

If he’s pitching in a game I’m attending, and I go to some 30 to 40 games a year, I’m buying a lotto ticket. Harden’s a bag of bones. I love the guy, but man was he frustrating to have on your team – he and Chavez, always effin injured!

by sf drift king on Dec 14, 2009 7:59 PM PST up reply actions

Washington pick

Come on Ron can you get a player that never was on the A’s. Just like your buddy with the M’s always picking ex-A’s players. Not a good match for Harden going to the homer stadium with terrible defense.

by Arcman on Dec 10, 2009 7:51 AM PST reply actions

Who are the former A's picked up by the Mariners?

I can’t think of anyone besides Hannahan, who was here about a year and a half, and Langerhans, who was here about a day and a half.

Who am I forgetting?

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Dec 10, 2009 12:39 PM PST up reply actions

Mike Sweeney.

by LoneStranger on Dec 10, 2009 1:59 PM PST up reply actions

Hannahan

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Dec 10, 2009 2:37 PM PST up reply actions

besides Hannahanny.

or as my sister would say, Hannahiney.

by LoneStranger on Dec 10, 2009 3:15 PM PST up reply actions

Coaches

Wakimatsu
Van Berkleo

Former A’s/Former Mariners:
- Hendu
- Mike Moore
- Bruce Bochte

by Colorado Fan on Dec 10, 2009 3:41 PM PST up reply actions

Ah yes, the recent Bruce Bochte era!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 10, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

ive wanted to compare Barton to Bochte for so long

only to piss off mikev though, and even I cant bring myself to do that.

by PL78 on Dec 10, 2009 7:54 PM PST up reply actions

I've been wanting to make that comparison

ever since Matt Holliday really sucked for the A’s his whole time in Oakland, mostly because he didn’t try.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 10, 2009 8:05 PM PST up reply actions

One time I saw Holliday come to bat with a subway sandwich as a bat

another time he got a hit and just stood there, pulled out a calculator and started doing his taxes. The way he kept wearing his Rockies hat all the time really was annoying too, god i hated that guy.

by PL78 on Dec 11, 2009 10:48 AM PST up reply actions

If Matt Holliday prepares his own tax return,

it’s no wonder he never smiles.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Dec 11, 2009 2:14 PM PST up reply actions

Really?

I’d love to have his tax return.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 11, 2009 7:27 PM PST up reply actions

You don't want to have to prepare it.

Trust me on that.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Dec 11, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

Ah, Sweeney.

I forgot about him.

Others mentioned below are long before Wakamatsu.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Dec 10, 2009 10:41 PM PST up reply actions

It would be difficult to envision a pitcher who would care LESS about the defense behind him than Rich Harden

he being more or less the Jack Cust of pitchers.

Besides, Texas has good defense now. Amazing what having Elvis Andrus playing shortstop and NOT having Michael Young playing shortstop will do for you.

O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?

by PaulThomas on Dec 10, 2009 4:29 PM PST up reply actions

Rich Harden is, and always has been,

a great pitcher to have when he’s healthy and a pisser to have when he’s not.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 10, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions

Not getting the connection here

O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?

by PaulThomas on Dec 10, 2009 7:34 PM PST up reply actions

Between what and what?

I don’t make connections. I just say stuff and randomly place my worthless ideas as replies to unsuspecting users.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 10, 2009 7:36 PM PST up reply actions

Is it weird that I get that?

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Dec 10, 2009 8:48 PM PST up reply actions

Like I said yesterday...

…this could be a bad mix given how the Rangers don’t like thinking about pitch counts.

Last of the Ninth - Photography

by Flashfire on Dec 10, 2009 9:58 AM PST reply actions

Nolan Ryan will toughen him up!

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Dec 10, 2009 10:02 AM PST up reply actions

Oh, fun.

I’m not wishing injury on Harden, Holland, or/especially Feliz, but this is definitely a storyline to watch.

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West

by Blicks on Dec 11, 2009 6:09 AM PST up reply actions

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

and HA! Really? We never got to see him when he was on our own team, so the idea we are going to see him now is laughable (not laughing at you, just the premise of Harden being healthy). Also, Harden is a cold weather guy, so I don’t know how much pitching in the muggy humid climes of Arlington will translate for Rich. Poorly I assume (pun intended)

"Tonto think Billy Beane need to make team full of squirrels and bears."

by OptimistPrime on Dec 10, 2009 11:41 AM PST reply actions

not bad for a first fanpost...

informational, with links… no blatant errors or disrespectful hyperbole…

it’s got a great beat and I can really dance to it. I give it a 91, Dick. (Clark)

"Sniff some krazy glue, and start a religion!"- The Reverend Billy Lard

by Gaijin_Suketto on Dec 10, 2009 12:31 PM PST reply actions

Thanks.

by VV A's fan on Dec 10, 2009 10:09 PM PST up reply actions

"plenty of chances"

Harden will throw about 18 games this year, if he’s lucky.

We will most likely play 19 games against the Rangers (I havent checked the sched but thats what we had last year).

In the chance that he’s healthy ( he wont be) then there’s a 1-in-5 chance he pitches against us.

Im not very good with calculating these odds, but I think the odds are that he will basically he will pitch once or twice against us.

by PL78 on Dec 10, 2009 1:13 PM PST reply actions

A basic calculation

If Harden starts 1/9 of Rangers games (based on your guess of 18 starts), and the Rangers play the A’s in 19 games, we would expect Harden to start 2.1 games on average.

This ignores certain facts but should be accurate enough for our purposes.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Dec 10, 2009 1:24 PM PST reply actions

I swear I hit reply.....

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Dec 10, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions

It is possible that Harden could pitch once every time the Rangers and A's play or 6 times Max

2 series in May
1 series in July
2 series in August
1 series in Sept

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Dec 10, 2009 2:43 PM PST up reply actions

It is possible...

…but I wouldn’t bet the mortgage money on it.

by UncleLeo on Dec 10, 2009 3:12 PM PST up reply actions

Its Harden

He’s probably going to have his arm snap off after a month.

by PL78 on Dec 10, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions

if we see him 6 times this year...

That’s 3 times more that we usually get to see him.

by VV A's fan on Dec 10, 2009 10:10 PM PST up reply actions

I suppose this is either going to be really good, or really bad.

Not good for Harden weather- and park-wise. But perhaps being under the partial tutelage of Nolan Ryan will get him on the right track.

"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey

by cuppingmaster on Dec 10, 2009 2:39 PM PST reply actions

I kinda doubt it

Ryn is going to make him throw 140 pitches a game. Every game.

He’ll make like 4 starts.

They call their best player "Kung Fu Panda" and they complain that people aren’t taking them or the game seriously enough? -Nick

by mikev on Dec 10, 2009 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

Harden

I bet he finishes the year in the Bullpen or on the DL. I still think Harden is serious Closer material.

by Colorado Fan on Dec 10, 2009 3:43 PM PST reply actions

I agree, it's harden ough to believe he'd go the whole year without a trip to the DL.

by LoneStranger on Dec 10, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions

That's rich

by Nate on Dec 10, 2009 5:25 PM PST up reply actions

Is anyone else worried by the offseason acquisitions of the other AL West teams and the lack thereof for the A’s so far?

Well I don’t think the A’s should do anything rash like they did last year. They should probably figure out what they have with Wallace and Carter (and maybe even Cardenas and Weeks) before they make any other big additions. But I do think that this will be a more competitive division this year, for sure. The Rangers are picking it up and the Mariners can only improve.

by DDroney on Dec 10, 2009 6:48 PM PST reply actions

Especially if the Marineres are seriously interested in picking up

Adrian Gonzalez. That would really make me depressed, even more than Harden playing for the Rangers….and that still does not sit well with me.

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Dec 10, 2009 6:53 PM PST up reply actions

I don't get how the Mariners could possibly have enough to get Adrian Gonzalez

Their farm system is basically empty of talent. It’s like Michael Saunders and…

…

Carlos Triunfel? Who just missed the whole season with a broken leg?

Not seeing it.

O'Hara: Detective Lassiter is literally on fire.
Spencer: What kind of fire are we talking about-- "Michael Jackson in the Pepsi commercial" fire, or "misusing the word literally" fire?

by PaulThomas on Dec 10, 2009 7:36 PM PST up reply actions

Michael Sanders would have promise at least 118 bunt hits

in order to get someone excited about dealing Adrian Gonzalez.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 10, 2009 7:39 PM PST up reply actions

They probably don't.

But Zdurenicick (sp?) is no dummy. He might be able to engage a third team to help make it happen.

"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico

by jeepers on Dec 11, 2009 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

that's the most ridiculous rumor so far

the only players they could trade for A-Gonz is Felix or Ichiro, and that is never, gunna, happen.

the M’s have a pretty terrible farm but a somewhat okay team in the bigs, hence their spending.

by PL78 on Dec 10, 2009 7:57 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, I'm not sure what the M's have to offer either

Just the rumor of it floating around was making me cringe.

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Dec 10, 2009 8:51 PM PST up reply actions

The M's extending Felix would also be depressing.

Although Felix in pinstripes/red sox garb would be as well.

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West

by Blicks on Dec 11, 2009 6:11 AM PST up reply actions

All of the M's moves for the past year

sure look like they intend to peak in 2010. Maybe that carries into 2011, but after that, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them let a lot of guys go.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan

by iglew on Dec 11, 2009 8:31 AM PST up reply actions

I agree with this.

There’s not a blatant move the A’s should have made, with the exception of maybe Figgins.

Beltre’s still on the market, as are the other guys the A’s would make sense targeting (the DHs). The DH market is going to plummet IMO, as there are way more DHs (or people who should be DHing due to injury/defense concerns) available (Thome, Delgado, Cust if he’s nontendered, Sheffield, Damon, Dye, Vlad, Matsui, Glaus, etc.).

Since the A’s primary needs are 3B/SS and DH, it’s smart for the A’s to wait, especially on the latter. And, on the former, since Figgins, Scutaro, and Hardy have already found new homes, the best bet, IMO, is Tejada to split time b/w 3B and DH if he’ll take a 1 year deal.

"I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it" ~ Mae West

by Blicks on Dec 11, 2009 6:20 AM PST up reply actions

Crap dammit eff eff eff

Logic tells me that Harden will basically be a non-factor due to a long history of health concerns. The caprice of the baseball gods of late tells me that he might only make 6 starts, but all of them will be against the A’s and he will ride on a pale horse and the Strikeout Apocalypse will follow with him.

by Joey C. on Dec 11, 2009 1:09 PM PST reply actions