The Rangers have claimed Ryan Tucker off waivers from the Marlins, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter). To make room on their roster for Tucker, Texas designated Rich Harden for assignment, tweets MLB Network Radio Executive Producer Brent S. Gambill.
Tucker, 23, was selected 34th overall by the Marlins in the supplemental round of the 2005 draft. Though Baseball America ranked him as Florida's sixth-best prospect prior to the season, the right-hander struggled in 32 minor league appearances this year, posting a 5.72 ERA over 67.2 innings. Tucker enjoyed his best season in 2008, when he was named the Marlins' minor league pitcher of the year and made 13 appearances for the big league club.
Harden, meanwhile, signed a one-year contract last winter which includes an $11MM mutual option for 2011. Considering the righty didn't even pitch well enough this year to crack the Rangers' ALDS roster, the team figures to have to pay the $1MM buyout.
How far Rich Harden has fallen. Let’s see how long it takes the Yankees to nab him; they seem to dig over-priced, under-achieving pitchers.
I figure that the Nats might make a run at him too. I think they’ll sign at least one of the several injury prone pitchers on the market. Chris Young, Harden, or Webb. Although I still don’t think Webb would be a good option.
The Marlins have to pick him up 1yr$2MM
Come on Jack, sign Harden to a 1 year 1.5 million, maybe Young too, in the best case, (injuries):FelixHardenYoungVargasPineda2 millions for Young and 1.5 for Harden and maybe Sheets too
High risk, high reward sometimes work
So Doug Fister just gets forgotten?
Doug Fister is good, and could be useful if one of these guys is injured…
Or maybe the fifth starter too if he´s not ready (Pineda)
If one of these guys is injured? Have you not seen the career history of Young and Hardens injuries? If anything, Fister should be in there instead of both Young and Harden.
Okay you guys pick, Rich Harden, or Roy Halladay at this current moment (completely pitching an epic incredible no-hitter).
Harden hands down. What’s Roy Halladay ever done?
He’s only pitched a couple no hitters this season
Sorry Rich Harden but this next week belongs to Harry Leroy Halladay the III
Holy crap, that’s his name? No wonder he goes by “Roy.”
I could see Seattle taking a flier on the local boy. As we sit, its looking like Felix, Vargas, Fister, Pineda and Pauley in the 2011 rotation. Pauley was a pleasant surprise this year and could sneak in as a #5 type. Pineda is still an unknown and might not make the team out of ST and having the Vargas/Fister combo as your #2/#3 is not a good rotation.
I honestly could see them giving Harden a go or maybe even re-signing Erik Bedard to another low base, incentive laden contract. They need some low-risk/high-upside arms in 2011.