Rich Harden would like to return to Oakland next season.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle thinks a reunion is very possible and we tend to agree. Harden didn't finish the year strong; Sunday's quality start was just his seventh in 15 tries. He wound up striking out 91 over 82 2/3 innings, but he produced just a 5.12 ERA and 1.43 WHIP this season. In other words, he should be cheap, especially in light of his frailty, perhaps even having to settle for an incentive-laden, non-guaranteed contract over the winter. Oakland, meanwhile, needs starting pitching insurance. Brandon McCarthy is also a health risk, Brett Anderson won't be available until July and Dallas Braden might not be up to speed by the start of spring training.

Rich Harden was quality in picking up a no-decision Sunday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over six innings in a 6-5 win over the Angels.

He stuck out five and served up a pair of bombs. Harden pitched well in spurts this year and wound up striking out 91 over 82 2/3 innings, but today's quality start was just his seventh in 15 tries. The owner of a 5.12 ERA and 1.43 WHIP this season, the 29-year-old will likely have to settle for an incentive-laden, non-guaranteed contract next year.

Pitching on eight days' rest, Rich Harden allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday in a loss to the Angels.

Harden struck out just one in this one. Even though the A's don't really have any obligation to him as a free-agent-to-be, they will probably continue to baby him this month so he can end the season healthy.

Rich Harden allowed four runs over five innings Monday in a no-decision against the Royals.

Harden struck out 10 in the no-decision, one shy of his season-high. He also allowed eight hits (including a solo homer by Billy Butler), so Athletics manager Bob Melvin brought the hook after 98 pitches. Harden has 81 strikeouts over 67 2/3 innings this season, but he's a risky play against the Rangers on the road this weekend.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin said he might look to give Rich Harden and Brandon McCarthy extra rest in between starts over the final month.

Given the lack of innings both pitchers have thrown in recent seasons, it's probably smart to not have them overdo it. Melvin said the A's would just use a spot starter occasionally. He didn't name anyone for that role, but Graham Godrey, Josh Outman and Tyson Ross would be candidates.

Rich Harden allowed three runs on six hits in six innings of Oakland's loss to the Indians on Wednesday, taking a no-decision in a game that did not end until 10 innings after his departure.

The A's bullpen turned in one of the best performances you'll ever see in a losing effort, allowing just one run on five hits and one walk in 9 1/3 innings of work, at one point retiring 24 consecutive batters. As for Harden, the quality start was his sixth in 11 outings since joining the A's rotation on July 1. He's turned in a 4.40 ERA and 72/27 K/BB ratio in 63 1/3 innings. He'll get the Royals at home on Monday.

Rich Harden was pulled after allowing six runs in 4 1/3 innings Thursday against the Yankees.

Harden was handed a 7-1 lead in the third inning, but he gave up a run in the fourth and then four in the fifth. It's the first time in 10 starts this season that he's allowed more than five runs, and it took his ERA from 3.91 to 4.55. Still, he's a decent enough play with the Indians next on the schedule.

The Indians claimed Rich Harden off waivers from the A's but could not work out a trade.

Oakland decided against trading Harden at last month's non-waiver deadline and are still intent on keeping him around. He can not be claimed by another team.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Yankees have had scouts present at Rich Harden's last two starts.

Harden really struggled against the Rangers last weekend, but he spun a gem Friday, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just two hits and striking out 11 Blue Jays hitters. Slusser adds that in addition to the Yankees, other potential playoff teams have scouted the right-hander's "past several starts." Harden was slated to go to the Red Sox at the deadline before potential injury concerns nixed the deal, but it sounds like there's still a pretty decent chance he could still be moved.

Rich Harden overmatched the Blue Jays on Friday, pitching seven scoreless innings and striking out 11 in a 2-0 win.

Harden combined with Grant Balfour and Andrew Bailey on a three-hitter. Harden allowed just two hits of the himself, though he did walk four in the 115-pitch outing. Jose Bautista, who went 1-for-1 with three walks, was the only Jay to do much of anything tonight.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that Rich Harden has been placed on waivers.

Harden drew quite a bit of interest at last month's non-waiver trade deadline and should yield some calls again here in mid-August. A 29-year-old right-hander, he has registered a healthy 1.28 WHIP and 49/20 K/BB ratio across 46 innings (eight starts) for Oakland this season.

Rich Harden lasted just four innings on Sunday, yielding four earned runs and walking five.

It wasn't a nice visit with his former teammates for Harden. He hit leadoff man Ian Kinsler to start the game and then allowed four of the next five batters to reach base. The five walks Harden issued are a season-high and the four innings are a season-low. With the Blue Jays on deck, it's hard to have confidence in the erratic Harden.

Rich Harden was terrific Tuesday, holding the Blue Jays to one run on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings in the 4-1 win.

Edwin Encarnacion put a solo shot over the boards in the second inning, but that's all the Jays could do against Harden. The 29-year-old right-hander has had a couple poor outings but generally has pitched quite well since joining the A's rotation at the beginning of July, posting a 4.07 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 45/15 K/BB ratio over 42 innings. He'll face the Rangers next.

Rich Harden gave up four runs in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday in a loss to the Mariners.

Harden struck out seven, but giving up four runs to Seattle's offense is none too impressive. Time will tell if the Red Sox will be proven right after opting out of a trade for him based on his medical records. The A's let him throw 114 pitches tonight.

Alex Speier reports that the Red Sox deal for Rich Harden fell through due to "uncertainty after review of medicals."

Now there's a shocker. Harden, of course, has had a long list of injuries in his career, and evidently the Red Sox doctors didn't like something they saw and pulled the plug. With Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda off the table, the Red Sox might go after Erik Bedard even after his woeful start Friday.

According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, the Red Sox's trade for Rich Harden has fallen through.

Boston was moments away from dealing first base prospect Lars Anderson and a player to be named later to the A's on Saturday evening, but something stalled the talks. The Red Sox can try again before Sunday's 4 p.m. trade deadline.

Red Sox acquired RHP Rich Harden from the Athletics for 1B Lars Anderson and a PTBNL.

Harden, 29, has posted a 1.16 WHIP and 30/10 K/BB ratio in 29 1/3 innings since returning from the disabled list in early July. He brings quality depth to the Boston rotation and should remain a releavnt contributor in mixed fantasy leagues. Anderson, 23, has a career .809 OPS in the minor leagues but wasn't necessarily a top talent.

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that the Red Sox have acquired Rich Harden from the Athletics for 1B Lars Anderson and a player to be named later.

We knew the Red Sox needed pitching, and this trade makes a lot of sense for them. With Adrian Gonzalez entrenched at first, Anderson became expendable. The 23-year-old has a career .809 OPS over five seasons in the minor leagues and should start immediately for the A's. Harden will provide a much needed boost for the Red Sox rotation.

ESPN's Jayson Stark is reporting that the Athletics and Red Sox are "closing in on a deal for Rich Harden."

No word on any of the other players that could be involved. Harden would be asked to shore up the middle of the Red Sox rotation for their playoffs push, and would be a great addition to the team's staff. For what it's worth, Red Sox 1B prospect Lars Anderson was pulled early from his game Saturday, though he would be a steep price to pay for an injury prone rental.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Yankees and Red Sox scouted Rich Harden on Thursday.

Harden impressed all onlookers, allowing only three hits and two runs in six innings of work against the Rays. He struck out seven. Both the Sawx and Yankees are hoping to upgrade the back end of their starting rotations at this year's trade deadline.