So I saw on ESPN that Rich Harden has thrown 13 perfect innings in AA to start the season, six in the first game, seven in the second (he was on strict pitch counts, as he damn well should be). Rob Neyer said today that Harden has been promoted to AAA. He used the phrase "with absolutely nothing left to prove in Double-A," which is probably the most apt usage of that phrase I've ever seen.

I can't wait for this guy to arrive, and I'm glad he's in Oakland's organization, where not only does the management know how to hold back their enthusiasm and let the guy get time to develop (coughcough Detroit), but they've also got the luxury of letting him play in the minors because they've already got stars on the major league level. Even if Oakland wanted to rush him, where would they rush him to?