The question for the Chicago Cubs when it comes to Rich Harden is whether or not to offer him arbitration. If they knew he was going to be heavily pursued in free agency, they could more comfortably make the offer without fear that he would accept it.
Enter the early Harden speculation from Boston.
A number of executives and scouts in the game maintain that Rich Harden, who pitched for the Cubs over the past season and a half, is a likely target of the Red Sox.
Injuries have been a constant concern for Harden, but Boston would be comfortable with the power pitcher only making around 30 starts. RealGM Baseball.
Early signals like this are great news for the Cubs. Harden is unlikely to return for a variety of mostly contractual/payroll reasons, so if the Cubs can get a draft pick out of it, that would be the optimum outcome.