Harden

by Luis on Nov 27, 2008 7:22 AM CST

How reasonable is it to expect a healthy Harden for the playoffs next year?

I mean, the Cubs gave Harden as much rest as you could give a pitcher without putting him on the DL and he still came to the playoffs injured. Given that surgery was at least mentioned this offseason, how optimistic can we realistically be? The one positive I can think of is that 2009 is his contract year and maybe that will boost his performance.

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Well, have to get there first

So a better question might be, do you think Harden will be healthy in 2009?

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 27, 2008 7:37 AM CST reply actions

Not really

Yes, the Cubs have to get there first and there is no guarantee of that happening. But Harden was traded for to perform in the playoffs, otherwise we would have stuck with Gallagher. He had great numbers with the Cubs in the regular season yet that was almost for naught because he was not right when it mattered the most.

by Luis on Nov 27, 2008 7:50 AM CST reply actions

He was not traded to play for the cubs in the playoffs.
He was traded because we were trying to counter C.C. Sabathia trade. Harden was healthy for the playoffs, and he had plenty of rest. He put out a good performence and got no offense. I will take last years numbers anyday.
10-2 with like a 2 ERA

by Steele3 on Nov 27, 2008 8:18 AM CST up reply actions

He was not healthy... everybody acknowledged that (np)

by Luis on Nov 27, 2008 8:49 AM CST up reply actions

I agree,

Harden was healthy for his playoff start, and he didn’t do his best in the game but to his credit while he was in the cubs had only like 4 or so hits and couldnt put a run up on the board. Like I’ve said before in Harden’s first 3 starts he had 30K’s and only 2ER allowed but yet was 0-1. He had a phenomenal year and I’m excited to see what he is able to accomplish in a whole year with us.

by nick_reny on Nov 27, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry, but he was not healthy (np)

by Luis on Nov 27, 2008 8:42 AM CST reply actions

We all know his history...

Harden has had one season in the majors in which he wasn’t injury-plagued: 2004 (he started that year in AAA, but was quickly promoted). Here’s a review of his games/games started since 2004:

G GS
2004 31 31
2005 22 19
2006 9 9
2007 7 4
2008 25 25

For the past four years, he’s taken his annual Harden Holiday to the DL, a vacation that we shouldn’t rule out in 2009.

Harden’s injury history impacts another decision: Jason Marquis. Everybody points to Marquis’ contract as a place to cut fat, which seems to make sense. But because of Harden, the Cubs need at least 6 reliable starters going into 2009. And if there’s anything Marquis does well, it’s taking that ball every five days. Any team with a fragile top-tier starter had better have a strong #5 in the rotation.

by Short4Fanatic on Nov 27, 2008 9:55 AM CST reply actions