Harden started only 25 games in '08 because the Cubs gave him extra rest(like they said they would when they got him) He started 26 games in '09 because he got hurt(while not receiving extra rest) Rich Harden was the 2nd best pitcher in all of baseball after coming to the Cubs in '08(Happy ElCaballo?) and the Cubs are afraid to risk a 1 year/9M investment on him approaching even part of that? 141 innings of above average starting pitching(what he did last year) is probably worth that. If it's not, it's gotta be damn close. You're not going to risk that 1M difference on the chance he at least splits the difference between '08 and '09? The only reason to not offer Harden is a fear of significant DL time, and as most have said, if the Cubs have more knowledge than they've let on about Harden's shoulder, then fine, but if they're pissed that he's not going to complete games, then they're a bunch of idiots. Haha thanks. And your 100 percent right about this. This would not make sense to me if I was a Cub fan.