It looked as if the Red Sox were on the verge of adding another arm to their rotation on Saturday night by acquiring Rich Harden in exchange for Lars Anderson and a player to be named later. Now, the deal has reportedly hit a snag and it's unclear if or when it will get done.
According to The Associated Press, Harden told reporters after Oakland's 8-3 win over Minnesota that A's general manager Billy Beane told him he was staying put and would start for the A's on Tuesday.
"I just spoke with Billy and he says I'm an 'A' and I'm starting on Tuesday in Seattle," Harden said. "It's definitely a strange position to be in, but from what I hear I'm here and I'm staying here. I'm happy to be an 'A'. … It's definitely a strange position to be in."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona reportedly acknowledged after the game that he had heard the story of a potential deal for Harden, but that he had nothing to report.
The deal could still end up happening prior to Sunday's 4 p.m. trade deadline, although WEEI's Alex Speier reports that a major league source said the Sox are "not counting on" getting a deal done.
The Boston Herald's John Tomase also reported that a source said the deal is unlikely to be revived, and added that the deal collapsed over medical issues.
