Just as commenter Lyndsay suspected, the pending deal between the Sox and A’s has fallen through due to worrisome information in Rich Harden‘s medical reports. I know this comes as a complete shock to everyone. WEEI’s Alex Speier broke the news…
“A review of medicals after an agreement on the parameters of the deal, according to a baseball source, led to uncertainty about what kind of contribution the Red Sox could expect from Harden down the stretch.”
The deal was reportedly going to send former top prospect Lars Anderson and a player to be named later to Oakland.
The question now becomes, who, if anyone, the Sox target now. Ubaldo Jimenez and Edwin Jackson have already been traded and reports indicate that Hiroki Kuroda is off the table. Is Erik Bedard the next in line? The Sox had scouts at his start Friday, but he looked extremely rusty and lasted only one and a half innings. When healthy, Bedard has been fairly dominant this season and the injury that put him on the shelf for about a month (knee) had nothing to do with his arm.
We’ll soon find out what direction the Sox brass will take, but one thing is certain: It’s going to be a fun deadline Sunday.