Rich Harden

Injuries limited Harden (again) to 15 starts, but he managed to fan 91 batters in 82.2 innings despite an otherwise ugly year thanks to a whopping 17 home runs allowed. Ordinarily, that type of strikeout stuff would play well out of the bullpen, but there has to be considerable concern as to whether Harden could be tasked with fewer days between appearances given his injury history. He's a free agent at press time, and will likely have to settle for an incentive-heavy, one-year deal somewhere.

Harden battled injuries and ineffectiveness during his one-year stint in Texas. A poor 75:62 K:BB rate made him an ineffective option even out of the bullpen, but it's the role he'll likely have in 2011 after the A's signed him to a one-year deal with the intent of using him as a reliever. Should an opportunity to work the ninth inning arise, things could become interesting, but that will take a dominant transition from Harden coupled with an Andrew Bailey injury or stretch of ineptitude.

With half a strikeout per inning more than Tim Lincecum last season, Harden was in a class by himself when it came to missing bats in 2009. Unfortunately, the rare ones that made contact hit his pitches a long way - Harden allowed 23 homers in just 141 innings. Moreover, his walk rate remained high, a dangerous combination at times, even with all the strikeouts. Given Harden's spotty command and injury history, the Cubs chose not to offer him arbitration, and he signed with the Rangers in November. While Harden was shut down in September with a tired arm, he's averaged 25.5 starts the last two seasons, and should be fine for the start of spring training. There's still plenty of upside here, though Arlington will not be forgiving if he leaves the ball over the plate.

After not topping 47 innings in a season since 2005, Harden stayed relatively healthy a year ago with impressive results. Harden led the majors with 11 strikeouts per nine innings and a .183 batting average against in his combined stints with the A's and Cubs. Harden walked a few too many batters and gave up a lot of flyballs, but he got away with it by missing so many bats. The walks did prevent him from pitching deep into games, however as the Cubs were wary of letting him rack up high pitch counts. The Cubs picked up Harden's $7 million option for 2009 in October after examining his shoulder, so he should be healthy heading into the season. How long he stays that way is anyone's guess.

It was another year lost to injury for Harden, who managed to pitch even less than the year before. He's among the AL's best when healthy, but he hasn't topped 20 starts since 2004. You can't count on him to be a staff anchor, but he's a nice addition if you can get him cheap. He'll either pitch and be really effective or be sidelined with injury, but at least you won't get 165 innings of 1.480 WHIP and 4.95 ERA like many staff fillers provide.

Harden was limited to just four appearances after April 26 thanks to a bad back and then a sprained elbow ligament. His oft-troublesome control problems resurfaced, issuing 26 walks in 46.2 innings. Assuming that's a blip on the radar, a heathy Harden should be a strong Cy Young candidate and deserves extra attention in 5x5 leagues.

Harden battled injuries for much of 2005, but when healthy continued the assault on AL hitters that began in the second half of 2004. Surgery on his non-throwing labrum was successful, and the A's hope that will clear up his oblique and right shoulder woes. If he stays healthy, he's among the best in 5x5 leagues.

Harden's numbers after the All-Star break (8 W, 3.49 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 76/33 K/BB ratio) are more indicative of his talent than this pre-break numbers (4.52 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) and his final four starts were as dominant as any stretch during the season (26.2 IP, 25 H, 12 ER, 8 BB, 28 K). He was the second best starter for the A's last season, and should get extra consideration in 5x5 leagues with his strikeouts.

A solid first four starts showed promise, but they came at the expense of the Tribe, Angels, Royals and Tigers. He struggled with his control after that, but he'll start the season as the A's fourth starter following the trade of Ted Lilly.

Good heavens, can the A's find pitching or what? This 17th round selection rocketed up to Double-A at the age of 20 and did very, very well. His composite totals between Single-A and Double-A are scary: 153.1 innings, 116 hits, six home runs allowed, 76 walks and 187 strikeouts. Yowza. If he knocks off a walk allowed per start he's going to dominate.