Are hardships behind Harnisch?
If healthy, pitcher could be a bargain
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
It wasn't long ago Pete Harnisch was signing a big-money contract with the New York Mets, a year removed from a season that saw him win 16 games, post an ERA under 3.00 and throw 217 innings.
Pete Harnisch
But since 1995, it has been all downhill.
After dealing with Lyme disease, a traumatic attempt to quit chewing tobacco, insomnia and a serious bout with depression - plus, a third straight year below the .500 mark - Harnisch can no longer demand a salary in the millions.
And that, Reds General Manager Jim Bowden said, allowed the club to sign the veteran right-hander to a one-year deal Wednesday. A source said the contract was worth $300,000 in non-guaranteed money with no incentives. Harnisch, 31, completed a three-year, $9 million contract last season with the Mets and Milwaukee Brewers.
Bowden said the Reds had been interested in Harnisch from the outset. When he came into their price range, Bowden thought it worth the risk to get a starter who has thrown at least 188 innings in a season five times.
''At the end he was willing to take a lot less to stay in the National League,'' Bowden said. ''If he's healthy, he's a horse. We liked his makeup. He always comes at you, and he'll be a good pitcher for our young pitchers to learn from.''
Harnisch was surprised the deal was done Wednesday. He said the fact the Reds had shown interest in him from the beginning was important.
''I knew it was close,'' he said. ''It's a good baseball town. I've got to prove myself and I understand that.''
Harnisch said he feels healthy and has been working harder than ever this offseason. But what he'll add to the Reds is unknown because of his recent health problems.
Last year was a wash for Harnisch, who started on opening day but made only four more starts with the Mets before being traded to Milwaukee in late August. Early last season he tried to quit using smokeless tobacco, which doctors believe may have led to insomnia and depression that kept him on the disabled list from just after opening day until early August.
Harnisch gave up 20 earned runs in 21 innings in his comeback with the Mets and was traded to the Brewers for a minor league outfielder Aug. 30. He was 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in Milwaukee, but his last three appearances (1-0, 0.79 ERA in 11.1 innings) impressed Bowden.
''He was awesome in those last three starts,'' Bowden said. ''If he's healthy, he's a guy that can give you a lot of innings.''
Harnisch's best years came in Houston, where he threw 208 innings or more three consecutive years (1991-93). In 1993, he was 16-9 with a 2.98 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 217 innings, his last winning season. His three-year record in New York was 10-21.
''He needs to have a comeback year, but this is a good place for him to do it,'' Bowden said.
If Harnisch is healthy, he figures to be No. 4 in the starting rotation. Dave Burba, Brett Tomko and Mike Remlinger are already set as the top three in the rotation, but the final two spots were expected to be open for competition during spring training.
''That will be determined in spring training, but if he's close to where he was in '96, it's a no-brainer,'' Bowden said. ''But he'll have to earn it.''
That would leaves Mark Hutton, Steve Cooke and Gabe White to fight for the No. 5 spot.