Fantasy Baseball

BY ADAM RONIS

I feel like a mouse that is falling for the trap. Every year I hope Rich Harden stays healthy and puts up great numbers and it never happens because of health. Harden has some of the best stuff in baseball, but he never stays healthy. What's worse, it's usually a shoulder or an elbow injury.

Harden usually went in the first 10 rounds the past few seasons. This year he has fallen much farther and is a high risk, high reward pick. I only have him in one league, so I wouldn't break another TV when I find out he is going on the DL.

Harden flashed his ability this morning against the Red Sox in a 5-1 win. He went six innings, allowed three hits, three walks and struck out nine in his first start since July 7. He threw 95 pitchers and hit the mid 90s with his fastball. His talent isn't a question. It's his health. If he's sitting there late in the draft, it's worth a shot at that point. In an auction league, don't invest heavily. He can be a player that catapults your team to the top or a player that will force you to seek someone else when he hits the DL.