Before trading for lefty Erik Bedard just minutes before the non-waiver trade deadline, reports surfaced that the Red Sox had landed Oakland A's right-hander Rich Harden. A few hours later, though, the deal fell through because of injury concerns.
There is nothing to indicate that the Sox are still interested in Harden, especially considering their acquisition of Bedard shortly thereafter, but Oakland has placed the 29-year-old starter on waivers, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Rosenthal reports that outfielder Coco Crisp and reliever Craig Breslow have been placed on waivers by the team, as well.
Harden, who's struggled to stay healthy throughout his career, is 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA in eight starts this season — while also striking out 49 batters in 46 innings.
Crisp, who spent three seasons with the Red Sox from 2006 to 2008, leads the American League with 37 stolen bases this season. He is hitting .274 with five home runs and 36 RBIs in 102 games.
Breslow, who also spent time with the Sox in 2006, is mostly a situational lefty. The 31-year-old has a 4.32 ERA through 50 games this season, but boasts a career ERA of 3.10.
By placing the trio on waivers, it doesn't mean that Oakland is necessarily looking to move each player, but it at least opens up the possibility. Teams have 48 hours from the time a player is placed on waivers to put in a claim. If a player clears waivers, he can be traded to any team — barring, of course, a no-trade clause in the player's contract.
