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that IMHO Harden makes very LITTLE sense for the 2010 M's.  I do not think it is a stretch to all agree that we will probably NOT win the world series in 2010.  I am not conceding right this moment mind you, I am just saying the likely hood is that right now we are still in foundation building mode.  So why do we need a one year rental, who may or may not be a big bargain, who next year will be in the same exact boat as he is currently in (even if he pitches 250 innings in 2010 Harden next year at this time will still just be a highly volatile high upside, high injury risk signing, just like he is now).  If he pitches well he declines the option and is looking for a big contract (which we wont want to give him because he is still a huge injury risk, and would then no longer be a bargain), if he gets hurt or pitches poorly then the team declines the option and he is looking for employment elsewhere.  In the end you are still hoping against hope for a one year wonder type of year where he leads you to the promised land, which has very small odds of happening.  No foundation building at all.
At least with a Bedard type of injury risk signing if he proves himself recovered from his surgeries then you can feel better about extending him out for several more years when you are more likely to be making a true WS run.  
Bottom line I guess is what is the upside to letting Harden use us to try and prove his health?  Most likely result if he does prove his health is we get a worse draft pick (but not a WS ring) and he gets to go look for big time FA money that we will either not pay, or if we do pay will no longer be the big bargain you are hoping for now.  In the end these injury risk signings don't actually make that much sense unless you are a cash poor team who needs that one roll of the dice pitcher to put you in serious contention for the WS.