OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The Oakland Athletics signed right-hander Rich Harden to a $9 million, four-year contract extension Saturday, a deal that includes a club option for 2009.
Harden, promoted to the No. 2 spot in the rotation after the December departures of Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder, receives a $1 million signing bonus.
He will make $500,000 this season, a hefty increase from his original contract for 2005, which called for a $336,500 salary. He will make $1 million in 2006, $2 million in 2007 and $4.5 million in 2008. The club option is for $7 million and does not include a buyout.