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Deal for Harden has been called off

Print | Comments () Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff July 31, 2011 01:02 AM

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By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

CHICAGO — Turns out the Red Sox are not getting Rich Harden after all. At least they haven't yet.

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting via Twitter that Oakland GM Billy Beane told Harden that he is pitching on Tuesday for the A's.

"I'm here and staying here," Harden told reporters in Oakland tonight. "I'm happy to be part of this organization. I'm looking forward to starting Tuesday."

The AP is reporting that the trade was called off.

More updates on this as it becomes available. Obviously the teams have until tomorrow to work something out, if there is something to be worked out. There is no word on why the deal was called off.

If the Harden deal is indeed dead, the Sox could turn to Erik Bedard, Jason Vargas or perhaps Wandy Rodriguez.

UPDATE, 2:02 a.m.: The deal was killed by Harden's medical history. According to an MLB source, the Red Sox pulled the plug after reviewing Harden's records and coming to the conclusion he would not be able to get through the season.