Last Updated on December 10, 2009 7:57 pm by shah
Rangers Sign Harden
Indianapolis, IN – Rich Harden and the Texas Rangers completed a one-year contract Thursday that guarantees the right-hander $7.5 million.
The deal calls for a $6.5 million salary next year and includes an $11.5 million mutual option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout. Harden can earn an additional $250,000 next year in performance bonuses.
The oft-injured Harden had to pass a physical before the agreement was finalized.
Texas reached a preliminary agreement with Harden on Wednesday, the same day it traded starting pitcher Kevin Millwood to Baltimore along with $3 million for reliever Chris Ray and a player to be named.
Harden struck out 171 batters in 141 innings last season, going 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA for the Chicago Cubs, who acquired him from Oakland in July 2008 along with right-hander Chad Gaudin for right-hander Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and catcher Josh Donaldson.
st month, is 50-29 with a 3.39 ERA in seven big league seasons. He has been slowed by seven trips to the disabled list for a strained left oblique (2005), strained back (2006 and 2009), sprained elbow ligament (2006), and strained shoulder (twice in 2007 and once in 2008).
Posted: 12/10/09 8:00PM ET