Red Sox Report: Sox Settle For Rich Harden

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

With Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trading deadline set for 4pm ET Sunday, what will the Red Sox do? It appears that Oakland A’s starter Rich Harden is their man. Harden may not have been the Red Sox’ top choice, but he will add depth to their starting rotation. While the deal has not yet been officially announced, it is expected to be either tonight (Saturday) or tomorrow.

The reason that Boston had to settle on Harden had to do with the fact that many of their primary targets were taken off the market for one reason or another.

One of Boston’s primary targets - Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez is on his way to Cleveland for 3 top prospects. Another pitcher Boston was interested in is Los Angeles starter Hiroki Kuroda. However, Kuroda told the Dodgers Saturday that he would not waive his no-trade clause to go anywhere so he is staying put.

Boston also had its eye on Seattle lefthander Erik Bedard but his showcase start Friday night was a poor one forcing them to back off.

So that leaves Harden. The 29-year old is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA in 5 starts for Oakland this season. He started the season on the 60-day DL with a right shoulder strain and was activated early this month.

According to the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have agreed to send first baseman Lars Anderson to Oakland in exchange for Harden. Anderson was held out of Pawtucket’s line-up Saturday because of the impending deal. He is hitting .261 with 10 HR’s and 58 RBI this season for the Pawsox.

In 9 seasons in the Big Leagues, Harden has a career record of 57-35 with an ERA of 3.65. In 875 innings of work he has allowed 718 hits. He has walked 401 while striking out 888. Most of his career has been spent in Oakland where he returned this season after spending 2010 in Texas and 2009 and part of 2008 with the Chicago Cubs.

He worked with Red Sox pitching coach Curt Young in his first go-around with the A's.

Harden’s addition likely means that Andrew Miller will get bumped from the Boston rotation. There’s a slight possibility that Tim Wakefield could be asked to move back to the bullpen but that would be foolish considering how well he has pitched since being inserted into the starting rotation.

-Jon Lester was magnificent Saturday night in Chicago helping Boston snap a 7-game skid against the White Sox. Lester went 8 innings and allowed just 4 hits and 2 runs (both solo HR’s). He walked 1 and struck out 8.

-Adrian Gonzalez (stiff neck) was back in the line-up Saturday and belted his 18th HR of the season. He also had 2 more RBI to increase his league-leading total to 89 for the season.

-Kevin Youkilis also homered for Boston going back-to-back with Gonzalez in the top of the 9th. It was his 15th round-tripper of the season. He also has 74 RBI.

-David Ortiz (0-5) was the only Red Sox starter without a hit Saturday.