Rich Harden and Eric Chavez, two of the most injured baseball players in the league and maybe A's history. Eric Chevez must be given some credit, although he has been similar to the Grant Hill of the MLB (although no Juan Gonzalez) he has tried to play hurt and sacrifice his offensive numbers for his defensive presence on the team. But Rich Harden, WTF? I know he needs to get healthy but almost NO ONE in the MLB or professional sports plays at 100%. Most guys play 85-95% and shut it down when the pain is bad. Harden seems to be like Andrew Bynum, soft and will only play at 100%. For instance. When Pau Gasol came back for the Lakers he said he was at 85%, his ankle still swollen, but his team needed him and he could contribute. Kobe Bryants is playing with a torn ligament. Chavez played hurt the last two years knowing a young team needed him. Granted Bynum has a knee injury, not an ankle, Harden has a chest injury. Not an elbow problem. I am sick of this 'potential" ace always being hurt. Maybe he should be a closer or set up man like JOBA b/c he obviously can't throw 150+ innings so might as well get 75inn out of him 2 or 3 times a week in the pen. I am not a patient man, but Harden history of injuries and more notably, DELAYED timetables is more annoying than a Barry Zito gameday paycheck.
You are just freaking out for no reason. Players and people change and get better or worse all the time. Ever pitcher has injury problems and such and get over them. Harden has just had a very bad spell and has proven time in and time out that when he is healthy he resembles a strong Brett Myers or a Ben Sheets or a Dan Haren with a slightly worse era but better K's. He will come back and pitch well upon his return. I am personally more worried about Chavez, who seems to be scheduled for a May return. His glove and his bat are appreciated greatly, and his return to full strength will be more then welcome. And, just be happy the A's aren't paying Barry Zito's paycheck.
When was the last time Harden started five starts in a row? Freaking out? Dude has never been healthy to resemble a Ben Sheets or anyone else because we haven't even seen him for a full season, let alone a full half season. Anyone can have a great month. I remember Harden, as a rookie, giving up an extra inning HR to Trot Nixon in the playoffs. I also remember him losing to the Tigers in the playoffs in which he wore no undershirt in a game that was snowing. I can't really remember him pitching anyother meaningful game b/c he is never healthy. He was my favorite A's prospect for years, but dude always has "weak" or non serious injuries where he just doesn't pitch. I'm happy the A's are not paying Zito's contract and that they have the Big Hurt for minimum wage but it would be nice to have someone like Harden playing rather than getting a minor paycheck to merely play catch before every game.
Seriously Swinger, chill out. Rich Harden is getting paid $4,750,000 this season. If he makes 20 starts that is a STEAL for a pitcher of his caliber. Now yes, he is injured at this moment. However, he is also successfully coming back so far. He has had successful long toss and mound sessions. He is scheduled to throw a simulated game this Saturday in Seattle. If that goes well then he is well along the way on the road to returning to the rotation. The A's are making sure all the tightness in his shoulder is gone before they bring him back. The goal is to get him back and have him back for good. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that the Athletics various pitching coaches are also working with him to make sure his mechanics are good.
Eric Chavez just had three surgeries this offseason. Have you ever had a soprts related injury that required surgery? Those take a LONG time to return from. So far is has still only been 6 months since the first of his surgeries, and less than 6 months since he has the last. That is still a very fast timetable for recovery, especially considering the fact that he is recovering from all three surgeries at the same time. The A's brass want to make sure he comes back at 100% because that means they will have him back for good. They already tried bringing him back quickly and that led to flare-ups. They want him back, but they want him back for good. They don't want to see him come back and then go back down with injury again 3 weeks later. I don't know about you, but I'm inclined to agree with them.
You know what I find annoying? Alleged fans who can do nothing other than whine and complain no matter how good their team is doing. Seriously man, the A's lead the AL West right now, have the second best record in the entire AL, just picked up a good power hitter, and are about to get back their second or third best starting pitcher from the DL. What is there to complain about? Billy Beane is still looking like the baseball genius that he is right now and still providing A's fans affordable games to see. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Watch the young talent continue to excel and develop.
To be honest, I don't know why I bother talking to you Swinger06. You need to chill out when it comes to bashing the Athletics and their players. Rich Harden has awesome ability, and I'm glad the team is taking their time bringing him back to full health. I'd rather see him have a chance to come back healthy than give up on him. I saw enough if him in the games he pitched to know that he's worth the wait. Like they say, good things come to those who wait. That goes for Eric Chavez too.
Look at what we get in the mean time. These guys are playing well. Greg Smith has stepped in and done a great job. The offense is scoring enough runs to keep them winning games, and they are tied for first place. And Billy Beane keeps picking up good players at bargain prices! Stop complaining and enjoy the view from the top!
I can sort of see where Swinger is coming from on the Harden situation. It is frustrating knowing you have a top caliber hurler in your rotation, but isn't seen enough b/c of various injuries. But come on Swinger, you really think it's entirely up to Rich on whether he's going to throw or not. That's what you try to make it sound like. It's up to the training staff and front office to make those decisions. Really, you might want take a chill pill or kick back and fire one up, Cali style.
I like Harden and Chavez alot, but let's not confuse the issue; The A's are playing incredible despite injuries, who wouldn't be pleased about that? Harden on the DL is a separate issue and there is no way to refute this guy is soft. Harden's injury bugs have been suspect at best, pretty much all "strains". This latest one is because he couldn't handle a plane ride to Japan? Seriously? "Hey coach, I can't go today because my pillow was too hard." That's the one I'm expecting next from this guy. I think Beane would ship his nancy can out in a heartbeat if Harden could string five consecutive starts together. What a total headache. If Smith and Eveland can keep pitching like they have, I say let someone else deal with him.
