Rich Harden vs. Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija & Mystery Candidate

Randy Wells' emergence has knocked Rich Harden to the back-burner -- and possibly off the team.  The Cubs will have Tom Gorzelanny, Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija vying for the fifth starter's spot in the rotation in 2010 in what will resemble what Vince McMahon would call a gauntlet match -- but without a true No. 1 contender.

That's why the Cubs should re-sign Harden.  If it was any other 9-9 starter with a 4.09 earned run average, I'd cut my losses right there.  But Harden is no run-of-the-mill starter.  He posted a 4-3 record, 1.119 WHIP, an 88-to-31 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 2.55 ERA in 12 second-half starts.  His struggles at home (3-7, 5.99 ERA, 15 starts) seem to be way off base with what his career splits suggest.  Lest we forget Harden was 2-0 with five (!) no decisions in seven starts at Wrigley Field in 2008.  In those games, he posted a 0.75 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, a 61-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a ridiculous 13.7 K/9 ratio.

It's easy for fans to forget something like that, but it should not be lost on Lou Piniella or Jim Hendry.  That dynamic duo cannot afford to make any mistakes after a disastrous offseason that led to the debacle that was the 2009 Cubs campaign.

In a free agent market that can be described simply as "weak as hell" the Cubs really should hold on to Harden by at least offering him arbitration just in case someone decides to unload a Brinks truck full of loot in front of his residence over the winter.  And if he takes that loot, there is only one viable solution.

(Hint: It's not anyone I've named above.)