On this date two years ago, the Cubs exercised Rich Harden's $9MM option for 2009 after tests showed that his throwing shoulder was healthy. Harden made 26 starts with a 4.09 ERA, 10.9 K/9, and 4.2 BB/9 in 141 innings that year before joining the Rangers in the offseason. The 28-year-old battled through another injury plagued year in 2010, throwing just 92 innings with a 5.58 ERA, 7.3 K/9, and 6.3 BB/9 for Texas.
Harden might not be able to find a guaranteed Major League deal on the free agent market this winter, but I can guarantee that these links represent the best from around the blogosphere…
- Crashburn Alley re-lives Roy Halladay's playoff no-hitter, moment by moment.
- Meanwhile, Phoul Ballz spoke to some Blue Jays minor leaguers about how Doc's effort inspired them.
- The Nats Blog debates Halladay's Cy Young candidacy. Not that anyone asked me, but I consider him the frontrunner, and it's not particularly close either.
- Blogging From The Bleachers takes an in depth look at how Japanese pitchers have transitioned to MLB.
- The OC Baseball Council examines some potential destinations for Prince Fielder.
- U.S.S. Mariner looks at some free agent second base options for the Mariners.
- Amazin' Avenue reveals their John Hart-Rick Hahn-Chip Hale management plan.
- Blogging Mets hands out a final report card for the 2010 Mets.
- Waiting For Next Year compares how the Indians' roster was built to those of some postseason clubs.
- SD Sports Net wonders if Ryan Ludwick should be patrolling the Padres' outfield next season.
- Cubs Pack wonders what life will be like after Aramis Ramirez.
- The Outfield Ivy looks at some first base options for the Cubs next season.
- SPANdemonium lists the game's 50 more underrated prospects.
- Batter's Box names their top ten Blue Jays prospects.
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Lol span you’re awesome.
I appreciate it. Same to you.
I know Braves have underrated prospects, and are better than half those guys, like J.J. Hoover. Everyone over looks him and Delgado because of Hanson, Heyward, and Teheran.
I didn’t forget either, in fact I almost included J.J. Hoover. I’m still not sold on Hoover though. I don’t like his stuff. Delgado on the other hand is not underrated in my opinion, I think he is definetly one of the more promising pitchers in MILB and definetly someone who people are excited about.
Do you think he’ll at least be a middle-of-the-bullpen arm?
Sure. I can even see him as a middle of the rotation starter, it just depends on his ability to locate pitches and use all of his pitches.
Well I’m not sure about Kipnis being better than Ackley though would abslutely love it. Definitely one of the most underrated prospects in the game though, I agree. He may actually get to the MLs before Chisenhall….and if I was the Tribe, I’d explore trade options with Jason Donald as soon as this winter. Realize he had a rather so-so year in the bigs, but he can play all 3 infield spots (though defense is a concern, he should improve). Showed promise as a prospect…seems like he’d be a fit with a ton of teams.
can sign a stop-gap 3B and move Nix to 2B then. Kipnis could push him out by the all-star break if not sooner.
3 Tribe guys in the top 15 too…I like. Though not sure about Kluber being a #2. Again, would love it though.
Gardner should not be an underrated prospect…..but for some reason, people ignore him. He’s the guy I think could be a #2. He’s looking like at worst he’ll be a Westbrook type….but his stuff is better. Brandon Webb part II? I think it’s very possible. Groundball rate is off the charts and has a very good sinker already. If the strikeouts stay high…..lights out!
Yet somehow, BA left him off their league top 20 list? wow!
Absolutley. Gardner is more of a Rich man’s Rick Porcello or Trevor Cahill type because he also gets a fair amount of K’s. Keep an eye on Kyle Petter though. He has a chance to be a Billy Wagner type closer. Left handed, small, throws hard, has lights out stuff, and might move fast.
Out of the 50 prospects, 42 are Royals and Blue Jays players!!! How did that blog make it to MLBTR? You really show your true biased colors!
You might want to check your math on that one. I count 9 out of 50 coming from those two organization – two organizations that happen to both be considered near the top of most rankings when it comes to overall depth of minor league talent.
I’d like CoCo Arcia to pitch higher in the levels though. I’ve been monitoring him since the start of the 2010 season. I think he, along with David Phelps would become a very good set-up man, long reliever options if the rotation leaves no open spots for Phelps.
The Yankees will be looking at Adam Warren, Hector Noesi, and Ivan Nova for a starting job next season, IMO.
I see the Yanks rotations as CC, Lee, AJ, Pettitte and Hughes next year. if not Pettitte then another free agent starter like a Washburn. i dont see Nova getting a chance to crack the rotation yet.
Ew. Thanks but no thanks I’d pass on Washburn, he’d just be blocking our younger guys. And he would die in NY.
Hey Henry, what about…Ta Da! Zach Greinke!
No thanks! No please, no disrispect, Grienke belongs in KC!! And if the Yanks trade Betances and Montero I denounce my Yanks fanship for 2 weeks…
SPAN did you mean Armando Rodriguez instead of Armando Hernandez?
Oops. Youre right. I meant Rodriguez.
I just want to point out that the Crashburn Alley link was borrowed from Royals Authority and Nick Scott. I just think both should get their due as well.