Harden Shut Down?

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=64438:date=Sep 25 2009, 08:53 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Sep 25 2009, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=64437:date=Sep 25 2009, 09:40 PM:name=Butcher)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Butcher @ Sep 25 2009, 09:40 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 the arbitration, 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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Here are the only three free agent pitchers I'd rather have than Harden:

John Lackey
Brad Penny
Randy Wolf

There are others, but they have options that will likely get picked up.
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You'd rather have those guys?
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Yes.