Harden shut down
Taking a day off today before heading to St. Louis in the morning. Word comes out of Wrigley today that the Cubs are shutting Rich Harden down, possibly for the season. There's nothing official on that, so we'll have to wait and see. Harden went 3 innings last night and hasn't gone 6 since Aug. 26. The Cubs say Harden is fine physically but that Tom Gorzelanny will replace him in the rotation, at least for next Monday at Milwaukee and maybe for the next turn in San Francisco. As I've been writing, it's no sure thing the Cubs will offer salary arbitration to Harden this fall, when he becomes a free agent. So we may have seen him fire his last pitch as a Cub.
Harden has had a history of shoulder problems, as you know. One thing the public and media aren't privy to are the medical files. Harden said last night he felt fine. My guess is the Cubs see him as too big a risk to offer arbitration and have him accept and want upward of $10 million.
Lineup
Theriot, SS
Fukudome, CF
Lee, 1B
Fox, LF
Bradley, RF
Baker, 3B
Fontenot, 2B
Hill, C
Wells, P
It also looks like Angel Guzman (triceps) won't be ready until sometime in the St. Louis series.
Got to cut the grass and pack for the trip. I'll be checking back from time to time, and we'll be blogging all weekend from Busch Stadium.
So......was all that Bradley stuff yesterday really just him not wanting to talk? Something deeper here?
I have no doubt he'll be gone next year....
Finally realized today that the playoff chances are done. Baring a miracle of miracles, this team has finally realized that they were a complete failure this year. They had a small window open, but that loss yesterday killed them. Today was the cherry on top, and now being 6 and 7 back in the loss column is huge. Even with 3 games against the Cardinals and 3 with San Fran.
I don't blame Piniella at all for going into his office and taking a breather. The man hates to lose, and obviously was on the verge of blowing up. Give credit to Wells for realizing this, and being a pro and ripping himself for his pitiful showing. Piniella at least spoke later and explained himself.
Bruce, I have no clue how you deal with Bradley. What a classless pile. Maybe if he would stop engaging the controversy it wouldn't happen? Sits there, and basically encourages the grilling by being a worthless pile, and will then cry about it later. Please. THe Cubs really need to try to unload this guy, but sadly will have to eat a lot of the contract. That could possibly take away from signing a guy that they need. Subtraction by addition, and another horrible move by Jim Hendry.
I mean, is it fair for others to step up in that clubhouse day after day and answer the tough questions because Milton can't handle the criticism? What has he done this year to not be questioned? Great he hasn't been a china doll, but still.
They should play the young kids and figure out who can possibly contribute next year. Shut down Ramirez, and let him opt for surgery or intensive rehab so that he's 100% by next year.
I would have taken a single A guy for Harden. Here's the fact: he spent the off season building up muscles to support the shoulder. Just like Woody, the joint is still hurt and will be till he gets surgery. Just like Woody, he's trying to buy a couple years before that happens. Just like Woody, he had to learn a new motion with the new muscle structure but Harden wasted a half a year doing so. Just like Woody, he is a long injury stint waiting to happen, if it hasn't already.
is true, the Cubs should've LET the Twins have Harden; even if they only save a couple mil. This is very, VERY frustrating to hear. This would seriously push me over the edge on Hendry. Worse case scenario he gets a $3 mil raise.
Oh, but then Hendry won't be able to go out and sign a mid 30's aging "proven veteran" to a multi year deal.
Guess that's a bummer that they most likely won't get any draft picks out of him. Right now they need as many of those as possible.
Just asking. I don't know if body language is always a sure sign, but Lou sure looked like he was shaking his head in dismay when talking about Harden. I think we have seen the last of him in these parts.
Has to be an injury. The Cubs want him to do as well as possible so that more teams would line up to sign him and they could get draft picks out of him.
Wait a second.....how can they just shut down their 'ace'? Pfft....file this under 'things that aren't surprising'.
It will be interesting to see what Harden says about this. As an upcoming FA this kills his market value so if he comes out guns a blazin' then the Cubs are just trying to screw him. If he quietly walks away then he's looking at $4-$6 million next season from some other team.
They should have traded him to Minny. Love the pitcher but his shoulder stinks.