"Rich Harden, once one of the aces of Oakland's rotation, has agreed to a one-year deal with the club worth $1.5 million plus incentives, but the deal is pending a physical later in the week.

That is not insignificant. Harden has been on the disabled list nine times in his career, and he went from starter to reliever to released by the Rangers last season. He was not on the postseason roster.

The A's are looking at Harden primarily as a bullpen option, with former Texas starter Brandon McCarthy signed earlier in the week as a fifth-starter possibility. Many in baseball believe that Harden's fastball/changeup combo works best in relief and that that role also will help keep him healthy.

Harden, 29, went 36-19 in five-plus seasons with the A's, but he was on the DL six times.

Harden received multiple offers, including at least one that was for more than what the A's offered, but he is close to A's pitching coach Ron Romanick. Harden is also close to his sister, Kristin, who has lived in the Bay Area since he first joined the A's."