Chicago Cubs get Rich Harden from the A's
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Joy in Wrigleyville as north siders get Harden and Gaudin
Just yesterday their NL Central rival the Milwaukee Brewers traded for CC Sabathia, and apparently the Chicago Cubs wanted to answer back in a big way. They did just that by acquiring Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from the Oakland Athletics late today in exchange for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and Josh Donaldson.
By making this move the Cubs have made it very clear that they are building to win this year. This is a team that has the best chance it has had in a long time to make it back to the World Series.
Rich Harden, 26, is a right handed pitcher who has shown tremendous amounts of talent, but has been bitten by the injury bug quite often throughout his career. He's been great this year, posting a 5-1 record and a very impressive 2.34 ERA. In 97 total games in his career he is 36-19 with a 3.42 ERA. The Cubs also picked up right hander Chad Gaudin. Gaudin has been quite good this year as well. With the A's he was 5-3 with 3.59 ERA. Cubs manager Lou Pinella said he loves Gaudin's sinker and believes he'll be a great help to the team in the bullpen.
The Cubs gave up right handed pitching prospect Sean Gallagher who has a 4.45 ERA thus far this year, but is seen by many scouts as a solid #2 or #3 starter in the near future. Matt Murton was a top prospect initially for the Cubs, but he has never panned out. Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson aren't seen as top-level prospects.
The instant analysis from many analysts and commentators is that the Cubs got a very good deal here. The A's seemed to not get a whole lot of top prospect help out of one top of the line pitcher and a second very good right hander out of the bullpen.
The Cubs currently have the lead in the NL Central division by 3.5 games over the Cardinals, and they lead the Brewers by 4 games. It is shaping up to be a 3 team race in the Central, so the Cubs knew they needed to pick up all the help they could get.
The Cubs should be considered the favorites to win their division as well as reach the World Series out of the National League. One thing is for sure, there are plenty of happy Cubbies fans out there tonight that hope these favorites pull through!
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Comments
ty, I completely agree with you. Counting on Harden is extremely risky, but the risk was worth taking because they gave up very little. Gaudin is also a nice piece to fall back on. Thanks for the comment!
I think they gave up a lot but it was a good bargain for both teams. Murton lacked the power and defense to play a corner outfielder in the Cubs organization. Patterson is going to shine eventually once he has a chance to establish himself in an everyday situation. His problem is two fold -attitude (it got him sent down last season) and strikeouts (just like brother Corey)- both are fixable. But Harden is what the Cubs need now and the Cubs have plenty of talent in house to fill in for the position players they traded. I wish all the players good luck as I think they have been part of the team’s success. But this trade works out for everyone, assuming Harden’s arm/shoulder holds together.
Scoundrel,
Thanks for the comment. I think Murton could help the A's, but will be far from a star. Patterson might have the best chance to breakout. Harden is a huge get, but definitely has the injury risk. Gaudin could be a nice little steal as well.
tyduffy says:
12 months ago
I think it's a large assumption that Harden won't break down over the course of the season. But given what they had to give up to get him, it is certainly worth the risk.