Can Rich Harden Stay Healthy: Scouting the A’s/Cubs Trade

On the changes to Harden’s arm action this year:

...Given the choice between one arm action or the other, I prefer what he’s doing in 2008 because the process from the rotation into a ready-to-throw position and then the rotation into release is simpler and the arm action overall looks smoother. And yes, while he still cocks his wrist upward to where the ball is picking up the elbow, it is less prominent than it was before.

But that does not mean Harden is out of the woods. I’m not privy to his MRIs or medical records. How strong are those ligaments and muscles in his elbow and shoulder? We don’t know. We do know that pitching itself is not a natural act, so when you are throwing for velocities that reach the upper 90’s, the risk is naturally going to be higher to succumb to injuries.

So let’s assume Harden holds up. What are the Cubs getting?