Doubts regarding Harden emerge

Chris Mcgrath, Getty Images

Cubs righthander Rich Harden can become a free agent after the season.

Two people close to Rich Harden said they doubted the Cubs righthander is heading to the Twins.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: August 30, 2009 - 12:49 AM

Twins officials Saturday would not confirm or deny that they are the team that placed a claim on Cubs pitcher Rich Harden, as ESPN Chicago has reported.

But two people close to Harden said they doubted Harden is heading to the Twins. To their knowledge, the Cubs had yet to open a window for the Twins to negotiate a long-term deal with Harden, who is a pending free agent.

It's possible the Twins would trade for Harden without a long-term extension. He will be a Type A free agent, which would assure them two compensation picks in the 2010 draft if he signed elsewhere.

Though Harden has a history of arm trouble, the Twins believe he would be a good fit. His family actually has roots in Winnipeg, Manitoba, though he was raised in Victoria, British Columbia.

Harden and Twins first baseman Justin Morneau were teammates on a B.C. select team during their youth. Harden was a center fielder then and once busted open Morneau's lip with a long throw that bounced into his face.

Harden's father, Russ, who coached the team, brought Morneau to the hospital.

Penny update

The Twins also aren't saying whether they intend to place a waiver claim on recently released Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny.

If the Harden reports are true, they probably want to finish negotiating with the Cubs before committing about $1.2 million for Penny for six starts.

All decisions on Harden and Penny will be made by Monday, the deadline for teams to set potential playoff rosters.

Twins pitcher Carl Pavano and catcher Mike Redmond have both sent text messages to Penny, their former Marlins teammate, saying they would love to have him on board.

If obtained, Penny would replace Jeff Manship as Tuesday's starter against the White Sox.

New relievers

The Twins welcomed two veteran relievers Saturday -- lefthander Ron Mahay and righthander Jon Rauch.

"We've told them just be prepared to pitch," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It doesn't matter what inning. It can be anywhere from the sixth through the ninth, and it could be the fourth."

Released by the Royals, Mahay will cost the Twins only about $84,000 this season. The Twins traded a player to be named to Arizona for Rauch, who will cost them about $430,000 this year and $2.9 million next year.

Arizona figures to get a decent prospect in return, considering the Twins sent Class AAA righthander Yohan Pino to Cleveland for Pavano.

Pino was 2-2 with a 2.82 ERA in eight starts for Rochester. He doesn't have overpowering stuff, but the Twins believe he will be a fourth or fifth starter in the big leagues.

Mahay pitched Saturday, making it 23 pitchers who have pitched for the Twins this season, matching a team record set in 1989. That record will be broken once Rauch enters a game.

Dickey let go

To make room on their 40-man roster for Mahay, the Twins designated knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for assignment. Dickey, 34, who tossed a two-hit shutout for Rochester last week, was a likely September callup.

"It gets down to [trimming] a veteran like Dickey or the kids," Gardenhire said. "And we don't want to lose the kids."

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