Sources: Rangers to sign Harden

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The Texas Rangers have reached a deal with right-handed pitcher Rich Harden, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney on Wednesday.

Harden will receive $6.5 million for 2010 and a $11.5 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout, sources told ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett. Harden is taking a physical Thursday, which includes an MRI, before the club will agree on a deal with him. If all goes well, the club could schedule a press conference later in the evening.

To create financial flexibility that could make signing Harden easier, the Rangers traded starter Kevin Millwood to the Orioles for reliever Chris Ray.

Harden was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 26 games for the Cubs in 2009. The Cubs did not offer Harden salary arbitration, making him a free agent. Harden made $7 million last season in Chicago.

Harden, who would be pitching for his third major league team, has a 50-29 record with a 3.39 ERA in 127 starts.

His season ended a week early in 2009 due to arm fatigue. He also spent time on the disabled list with a mid-back strain. He made 31 starts in 2004 when he was a member of the Oakland Athletics but hasn't made 30 starts in a season since.

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