The Minnesota Twins contacted the agent for right-hander
Rich Harden yesterday, reports La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune.
The Twins have been in contact today with the agent for righthander Rich Harden, according to multiple sources.
Neal notes that the discussions between the Twins and Harden
appear to be “heating up pretty quick.”
Harden spent a year away from baseball and is now attempting
a comeback. The right-hander has been mired by injuries throughout much of his
career, but when he’s been healthy he’s been productive. Neal says it’s unclear
if the 31-year-old is attempting to return as a starter or reliever.
Over nine seasons at the major league level Harden
maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.76 and 1.296 with 9.2 strikeouts and 4.1 walks
per nine innings. However, he only mustered an ERA and WHIP of 4.79 and 1.457
from 2009-11.
The Twins have already added free agent starters Kevin Correia
and Mike Pelfrey this offseason. Minnesota also acquired pitchers Vance Worley,
Trevor May and Alex Meyer for outfielders Ben Revere and Denard Span.
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