Harden Shut Down?

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=64427:date=Sep 25 2009, 08:18 PM:name=stevestonescigar)-->QUOTE (stevestonescigar @ Sep 25 2009, 08:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=64425:date=Sep 25 2009, 07:15 PM:name=KBwsb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KBwsb @ Sep 25 2009, 07:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=64423:date=Sep 25 2009, 06:56 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Sep 25 2009, 06:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I tend to think the Cubs wouldn't be so blase about letting him do this unless they did think there was a chance they were going to resign him (or at least offer arbitration, and thus don't want to hurt his value any more this year).<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Agreed.
For all his bullshit, he's pitched well enough. I'd certainly offer him arb.
The SP FA market this winter is terrible, and it's not like we've got a slew of guys
<!--coloro:#ff0000--><!--/coloro-->rarin' to go<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc--> in Triple A.
If he accepts, we get a respectable, cost-effective starter, who is frustrating, but has a higher ceiling than any other FA pitcher.
If he declines, we get a free 1st-round draft pick.
Win-win.
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I agree with you but again it is going to depend on how much money Ricketts is going to want to spend in his first year as being an owner. They may not want to risk paying Harden money that they did not plan on paying him. I would not be surprised to see the Cubs not offer him arbitration. As much as it seems like a win win situation... there is some risk there for teams that are on a budget or close to it anyway.
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It is also possible that teams could wait to sign Harden until after the draft pick deadline thingy (like Orlando Hudson, IIRC), in which case the Cubs would only get a sandwich pick for him (right?).