Chicago Cubs lose 5-1 to San Francisco Giants

Pitcher Rich Harden would like to be back, but feeling isn't mutual

By Paul Sullivan

Tribune reporter

September 28, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO -- When he shut himself down for the rest of the season, Rich Harden said he hoped to re-sign with the Cubs.

"We'll see what happens," he said. "Hopefully we'll sit down with Jim (Hendry) and talk about that. It's a good city, good fans, good team ... I feel like what we did this year obviously was a little disappointing. It would be good to come back next year and make a run for it."

But the Cubs have no plans of bringing Harden back, as manager Lou Piniella hinted Sunday before a 5-1 loss to San Francisco in the final road game of the season.

"You look at our starting pitching here for next year," Piniella said. "You've got (Carlos) Zambrano, you've got (Ryan) Dempster, you've got (Randy) Wells, you've got (Ted) Lilly, you've got (Tom) Gorzelanny, and you've got (Jeff) Samardzija, who is going to go to winter ball. And if this kid keeps improving, he'll be right in the mix. So we've got six nice arms."

The exclusion of Harden may have been unintentional, but the Cubs are likely concerned that the stability of his right shoulder is problematic, especially on a multiyear deal. Harden has faced questions about his shoulder before, and knows to expect it again.

"I'm healthy," Harden said. "You can ask the Cubs here, and see what they say."

Wells allowed five runs on 10 hits Sunday to fall to 11-10, and the Cubs were shut out for eight innings by Giants starter Matt Cain. Still, Wells is a lock for the rotation next spring, and Piniella said the staff "is pretty settled."

Aside from the six pitchers Piniella mentioned, plus relievers Carlos Marmol, Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall and Aaron Heilman, the Cubs expect to re-sign left-hander John Grabow this offseason. That leaves room for one more reliever.

Piniella said he expects Esmailin Caridad to join the bullpen and also threw in the names of Justin Berg and John Gaub. Kevin Gregg is a free agent and is unlikely to return.

If the Cubs don't have to spend on pitching, they can concentrate on finding a run-producing outfielder and a leadoff man who can play second base. Piniella said he had no idea how much is in the 2010 budget, which will be decided upon by the organizational meetings in Mesa, Ariz., next month.

By that time, Tom Ricketts is expected to have assumed control of the team.

"We're not far away from getting close to where we were last year," Piniella said. "I don't know about 97 wins, but to compete and win a division again, we're not far away."

psullivan@tribune.com

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