Rich Harden
by NovaO on Jul 22, 2008 2:41 AM CDT
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Hey guys, I thought everybody would be interested in this piece. I wrote it about a week ago, but I wanted to wait until Harden's second start to post it here. And despite the loss, he didn't disappoint in his performance. Here is the link:
What the article does is break down Harden's mechanics, stuff, and outlook for future health.
Harden (I guess over the offseason) made some changes to his arm action. In my view it looks smoother than in 2007 and less stressful for the arm.
I must add...Harden's fastball/change-up combo is just sick. If you scroll down to where it says "Stuff", you'll see just how similar a plane each pitch comes in on, which is partly why he is so difficult to hit.
For discussion purposes, try to put all biases aside and factor in the players given up in both deals...what pitcher would you ultimately want: Harden or Sabathia.
My opinion is that while Harden has the better raw stuff, Harden's health risk makes me take Sabathia. But when you factor in the Cubs receiving a quality pitcher in Chad Gaudin, you have to figure that the Cubs got the better value. So Iike the Harden/Gaudin deal better but would prefer Sabathia over Harden though tonight's start does make me question if that's the right call.
In any case, hope you enjoy the read. Thanks again.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Because I know its coming...
I’ll spare you the trouble… Its Chad Gaudin, not Rich Gaudin.
Although Rich Gaudin is a great name for the trade… kind of like Brangelina, no?
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Jul 22, 2008 3:21 AM CDT reply actions
I still see it too
but when I go back to edit the post, the change has already been made, lol. Oh well.
www.baseball-intellect.com
did you hit publish or save?
hit publish
The weather at Wrigley Field may change in an instant, but Aramis Ramirez is always steady in the clutch. - Associated Press (7/11/08)
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Jul 22, 2008 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
wow
that is a really great article. i especially enjoyed the video comparison between harden’s fastball and his change. good stuff!
Before Edmonds: 24-16, (.600); With Edmonds: 34-24 (.586)
Edmonds with Cubs: .270 / .369 / .569 10 HR 30 RBI
Another point re: Sabathia vs. Harden
While it’s obvious both the Cubs and Brewers want to win this year, another point in the Sabathia vs. Harden debate is that the Cubs will have Harden next year, while the Brewers presumably will not have Sabathia.
by John Q Freejazz on Jul 22, 2008 7:44 AM CDT reply actions
How about Sabathia and Harden
Wouldn’t it be great if the Cubs signed Sabathia in the offseason. Highly unlikely but intriguing. And a big middle finger to Milwaukee to let them know they can’t hang with us.
It'd be great, but there's virtually no way it'll happen...
We are overloaded with starters as is (especially if Hill figures it out between now and spring), AND the payroll is probably maxed out.
by SouthernCub on Jul 22, 2008 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
Never say never
A new owner may want to make a splash. However I’d rather re-sign Dempster over signing Sabathia for the main reason that Dempster seems to know how to win at home and CC has never pitched at Wrigley.
All money aside
Signing Dempster over Sabatia is ridiculous – CC is one of the top 10 pitchers in all of baseball (if not top 5). Demp has been great this year, but I don’t see many Cy Youngs in his future
Some people have 3 layers, like pie.
well cemp will only get like 3 cy youngs
before they change the name to
RY YOUNG
by Canseco's Roid Party on Jul 22, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
cemp = demp obv; i guess my head was blending demp with his Cy Young-ness
by Canseco's Roid Party on Jul 22, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I thought maybe you were suggesting...
...the Cubs acquire CC and then genetically splice him together with Dempster.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Like Brundlefly!
He would be unstoppable!
"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse
You took alot of info from Gomez's article
You seem know alot of what you’re talking about in the article, and you have your own frame-by-frame of Harden’s pitching mechanics, so why did you incorporate not only Gomez’s words, but his own frame-by-frame’s? I know you gave him credit in the beginning, but this still could have been a good piece without his article factored in. That’s a little messed up, in my opinion at least.
Anyways, I enjoyed what you had to say, especially about his drop from his change-up, and what Bowen said. Here’s another link on Harden’s mechanics, as well as Gaudin’s f/x over at Cubs f/x. Good reads, lot of good info.
"I think Hendry still has a few years to serve on his 'grand larceny' sentence before he can shop in Pittsburgh again" - ballhawk
I'm not sure what to say...
Gomez is one of my biggest influences….he helped me get a writing gig at the Hardball Times and I incorporate his work into my writing an awful lot. My belief is that if somebody says it better than you, there is no shame in using those words to make your point. I gave him full credit for that section and explained the one graphic at the top was from his work.
He summed up the injury problems for Harden excellently, IMO and if people were looking for what the possible risk factors Harden’s mechanics were, that article I think said it best.
www.baseball-intellect.com
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