So we've got Rich under control for next year, but at what point do we start considering locking him up beyond next year? That seems to be Hendry's MO with his stars in the year before free agency... but is Rich Harden different?

He's just 26, and he's been absolutely dominant (the latter part of today's effort aside), but he's hardly a model of health. Of course, in that way, it almost makes as much sense for Harden to play out next year without a long-term deal as it does for the Cubs. If he can (finally) make it through a full season without an extended DL stint, he's gonna raaaaake it in.

Thoughts? Worth the risk? How many years? How much money?

According to Scout, first round pick Andrew Cashner of TCU is going to sign with the Cubs later this week. Not that there was a huge amount of doubt that he would eventually sign, still, I am relieved. Although I would love it if he was able to burst through the minors and help us later this year, I doubt it. And, of course, I can't imagine that the Cubs drafted him with any designs that he would help us this year.

It's amazing how, after the draft went down, the pick looked good. But now, weeks after the draft and after certain members of the bullpen have fallen off the map, the pick looks like pure genius.

Cashner will get a little more than $1.5 mill as a signing bonus.

The article reports that the Cubs have also signed second-round pick Aaron Shafer out of Witchita State.

If Inside the Ivy is to believed - and they are usually pretty good on this stuff - Jeff Samardzija is being promoted to AAA Iowa.

At first blush, this looks like a purely contract-related move. I'm sure we all remember the large, ML contract Jeff was given to entice him to forego any thoughts of a football career. Afterall, he's currently sporting an ugly 5.32 ERA in AA, with just 41 strikeouts in 66 innings.

But let's remember this happened to Jeff last year. Midway through the season last year, Jeff was struggling at high A Daytona - to the tune of a 4.95 ERA. But then, inexplicably, he was promoted to Tennessee. How did Jeff respond? He actually *dropped* his ERA by a run and a half.

Am I saying Jeff is somehow magically better at higher levels? Of course not. But maybe he's the kind of kid who needs to be challenged. I can't be the only one who has watched him for two Spring Trainings against ML competition and been impressed with his makeup and stuff. I have wondered for two years how the guy I see in ST is the same guy struggling in the low minors. Of course, I'm not convinced that his numbers aren't at all related to certain pitches he's been asked to work on - but I'm totally speculating on that.

So who knows what will happen? People will say this is just because of Samardzija's contract, and he doesn't deserve this promotion. Maybe they're right. But I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing how Jeff responds against ever-better competition.