Harden/Heilman claimed on waivers (neither traded)

[biittner77]

Does the Cubs' losing yesterday make it more likely that they deal Harden? It would be idiotic to not offer arbitration to Harden since they can always trade him in May if they don't want to pay him. They should also be thinking that 2010 is the last chance for the current group. Without Harden they have a rotation of Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Wells, Gorzelany. That's ok if you believe that Wells can continue to get by with very ordinary stuff and that Gorzelany can be an effective 5th starter. If they don't bring back Harden I'm afraid they rush Cashner or throw Shark in there.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Does the Cubs' losing yesterday make it more likely that they deal Harden? It would be idiotic to not offer arbitration to Harden since they can always trade him in May if they don't want to pay him. They should also be thinking that 2010 is the last chance for the current group. Without Harden they have a rotation of Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Wells, Gorzelany. That's ok if you believe that Wells can continue to get by with very ordinary stuff and that Gorzelany can be an effective 5th starter. If they don't bring back Harden I'm afraid they rush Cashner or throw Shark in there.

 

While Z/Lilly/Demp/Wells/Gorz is an adequate rotation, adequate rotations arent good enough, especially when you have what has panned out to be an adequate offense. Z has proven that hes not an ace over the past several years, and thats what we need. As far as Im concerned, there are 2 aces in the entire NL Central, and they're both in St. Louis, and we need something to counter that.

[davell]

I agree with that sentiment,(we certainly need an ace) maybe sending Harden away can add us some organizational depth, to the point where we could conceivably deal for Halladay and not totally deplete the farm.

[CUBZ99]

I agree with that sentiment,(we certainly need an ace) maybe sending Harden away can add us some organizational depth, to the point where we could conceivably deal for Halladay and not totally deplete the farm.

 

If Hendry were certain he could get Halladay, fine. But that is a pretty big gamble considering the state of the rotation. The only reason to trade him at this point would be to use the trade deadline as leverage and milk Minnesota for all they can get. As mentioned before, they can still trade him in the off season if need be.

[davell]

I agree with that sentiment,(we certainly need an ace) maybe sending Harden away can add us some organizational depth, to the point where we could conceivably deal for Halladay and not totally deplete the farm.

 

If Hendry were certain he could get Halladay, fine. But that is a pretty big gamble considering the state of the rotation. The only reason to trade him at this point would be to use the trade deadline as leverage and milk Minnesota for all they can get. As mentioned before, they can still trade him in the off season if need be.

 

Agreed. To expound, I don't want to give Harden away. I'm not enamored with their system but I would want one of Hicks or Revere, plus 2 of Morales, Slama, Parmelee, Delaney, Tosini, Guerra, Bromberg, or Hermsen. To me, that would make it worth dealing him at this point.

[soapy]

I know what Rosenthal says should be taken with a grain of salt, but he was on The Score this morning talking about the Harden situation, and says that he doesnt think that the Cubs have any interest in resigning Harden long term and maybe not offer him arbitration.

He mentioned that during the Fox game on Saturday. I remember because I threw up on myself a little at that thought.

[davearm2]

I know what Rosenthal says should be taken with a grain of salt, but he was on The Score this morning talking about the Harden situation, and says that he doesnt think that the Cubs have any interest in resigning Harden long term and maybe not offer him arbitration.

If Rosenthal is right, that tells me two things: a) Harden definitely should be traded today, and b) Hendry's bar is not set at the two draft picks Harden could net, since he's not willing to offer him arb in the first place (a la Kerry Wood).

[Little Slide Rooter]

Heres the latest from Rotoword on Harden

 

Rich Harden-S-Cubs Aug. 31 - 11:21 am et

 

According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have yet to request Rich Harden's medical records and a deal looks unlikely.

 

Harden was claimed off waivers by the Twins last week and the two sides have until Monday at 1 p.m. EST to work out a deal. As Christensen notes, the 27-year-old right-hander has been on the disabled list seven times since 2005. It would be highly uncharacteristic for the Twins to begin negotiations without first examining his medical records.

[NCCubFan]

As mentioned before, they can still trade him in the off season if need be.

Actually, no they can't. Since he'd be a free agent the Cubs would not own his rights to be able to trade him. They could re-sign him and trade him after May 1, but they could not trade him in the off-season.

[Hawk4Hall]

KFAN up in Minneapolis was saying the rumor was the Cubs wanted Slama and Delaney in the trade. Delaney is a good talent but the Twins might not want to give him up.

[davearm2]

As mentioned before, they can still trade him in the off season if need be.

Actually, no they can't. Since he'd be a free agent the Cubs would not own his rights to be able to trade him. They could re-sign him and trade him after May 1, but they could not trade him in the off-season.

If the Cubs offered arbitration and Harden accepted, then the Cubs could trade him during the offseason.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

KFAN up in Minneapolis was saying the rumor was the Cubs wanted Slama and Delaney in the trade. Delaney is a good talent but the Twins might not want to give him up.

 

Both those guys have strong numbers, but I don't think I'd rather have them than the chance of keeping Harden or getting 2 picks for him.

[CUBZ99]

Any word on Heilman yet?

[Old Style]

ESPN.com quotes a source as saying neither will be traded.

[St.Paul Cub]

The Twins almost never trade prospects, especially not anyone highly thought of. It would never happen, but I thought Span would look good in Chicago.

[SouthSideRyan]

I know Aaron Heilman is from Notre Dame and all, but why exactly is he still on this team?

[Outshined_One]

I know Aaron Heilman is from Notre Dame and all, but why exactly is he still on this team?

 

Because he's the best arm Paul Mainieri has ever coached?

[Guest]

KFAN up in Minneapolis was saying the rumor was the Cubs wanted Slama and Delaney in the trade. Delaney is a good talent but the Twins might not want to give him up.

 

Both those guys have strong numbers, but I don't think I'd rather have them than the chance of keeping Harden or getting 2 picks for him.

 

Agreed.

[BeerHere]

Deadline was noon cst, right?

[Little Slide Rooter]

12:22pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Cubs are less motivated to move Harden now than they were last week. The team has started playing well and has an outside shot at the NL Wild Card.

 

I guess if I had extremely low expectations, I might consider taking 1-3 from the Nationals and 2-3 from the New York Mets AAA affiliate Buffalo Bisons as "starting to play well".

[Little Slide Rooter]

Deadline was noon cst, right?

 

yup. zilch. zippo. nada. I know the waiver deadline usually isnt too action packed, but I expected something. I guess the Kazmir deal was pretty big for the Angels, but what was the next biggest deal? Ronnie Belliard?

[soapy]

Thank God this didn't happen (Harden. I couldn't care less about Heilman). Edited August 31, 2009 by soapy

[Little Slide Rooter]

1:38pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Cubs aren't likely to deal Harden. Many teams claimed the righty and it's likely that an NL team won the claim.

 

This is odd. This was just posted on MLBTR. Either Harden was put through waivers again or Olney hasnt been paying much attention.

[Prizefight]

I think we need to get creative with a contract for Harden this offseason. He is going to want to get paid this contract, but his history of injuries and the 7-8+days between starts on occasion isn't going to earn him huge dollars I wouldn't think.

 

I would love to see Hendry/new GM come up with a creative incentive laden contract for Rich that has qualifiers based off innings pitched/appearances however they wanted to do it. He was great last year and has really shown his value since the ASB this year. I do not see the harm in coming up with a contract that might max out around 10-11 million per year if all marks are made. If he turns it down, don't get into a bidding war but that seems it would be a fair market level.

[Outshined_One]

Levine says no trades are going to happen for either of them.

 

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