Some early observations:
•
Rich Harden is going to be the single biggest difference maker available for trade before the July 31 deadline. If the guy continues to take the ball -- two starts and counting, for a pitcher who has worked only 200 innings the past three years -- he will always take Cy Young-caliber stuff to the mound. If you added the Harden who threw against the Red Sox in his first two outings to the pitching staff of the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, D-backs, Rockies, etc. -- and he remained healthy -- that team would be the club to beat in its respective league. He's that good … when he pitches.
• Heard this question a lot from friends who are fantasy owners this winter: Can
Fausto Carmona repeat what he accomplished in 2007?
The answer from here was always: Why not? He has ridiculous stuff, a
Kevin Brown-like sinker -- arguably the best sinker this side of
Brandon Webb -- and throws strikes. He
shut down the White Sox Wednesday. Jim Ingraham refers to him as
Senor Sinker.
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Buster Olney
