NL Central Arms Race: Cubs Get Rich Harden

Just days after the Brewers made a splash by trading for CC Sabathia, the Cubs countered by acquiring an ace of their own, picking up Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from the A's in exchange for Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, minor leaguer Josh Donaldson and ... wait, that's it? Whoa. Advantage: Cubs.

Harden is obviously a huge injury risk, but no one can dispute that he's one of the most dominant pitchers in the game when healthy. In 13 starts he's been one of the best in the AL this year, posting a 2.34 ERA (1.14 WHIP) while averaging better than 10.7 strikeouts per nine.

And while Gaudin is clearly an afterthought, he's not all that bad himself, capable of eating innings from the bullpen or starting rotation.

What did it cost Chicago? Some intriguing prospects, sure, but absolutely nothing in terms of players capable of helping the Cubs win today.

Gallagher has more strikeouts than innings pitched over his minor league career, but the 22-year-old is still battling consistency on the big league level. Same story for Patterson, who's been able to rake minor league pitchers but has struggled in the majors (and at 25 years old, his time is running out).

Murton has never been fully appreciated for the Cubs, and he didn't give them any reason to in limited duty in The Show this year. Donaldson, the team's second-round pick from 2007, has upside, but he was hitting just .217 at Double-A Peoria this year and was blocked long-term by Geovany Soto.

In other words, if Harden goes on the DL tomorrow, they're no worse off than they were a week ago, at least looking at the short term. And if Harden stays healthy, well, it just might guarantee a division title.

Previously on FanHouse:
The Cubs Want Rich Harden
Can Anyone Answer Brewers Blockbuster?

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-08-2008 @ 8:35PM

JDBreeze1 said...

Score TWO for the Brewers...first they get Sabathia, then they watch the Cubs overpay for Harden.

7-08-2008 @ 9:13PM

rob said...

overpay? we gave up nothing for maybe something.

7-08-2008 @ 10:31PM

double t 62 said...

overpay???? typical of wisconsiners, you bought a fat former cy young award winner for a few months. No way in hell he will resign with you next year no matter what is or isnt accomplished. he will go where the real money is and you will have given up 4 prospects for a chance to make the playoffs. meanwhile we get to keep Hardin next year 2 and murton wasnt gonna play for us and probably will make a nice dh in the AL. Patterson sux and gallagher might be a decent starter one day. he is the guy i will miss. but we also got gaudin who can releive or start. So check with me next spring and we will see who overpaid you cheeshead. we will examine our rosters and discover that Sabbathia is somewhere like Yankee stadium while we still have Harden

7-09-2008 @ 12:34AM

Jay said...

Nice addition 4 the cubbies. This overpaid stuff is nonsense. While Harden has injury issues, he may be the key to locking up this competitive division. Patterson and Gallagher are good prospects, but they aren't going to pan out this year or maybe even not next year. They aren't going to pay off in a pennant race; Harden will.

Additionally, the Brewers are extremely stupid for trading 4 prospects for Sabathia. While he is a great pitcher (dont let the slow start fool you), you paid some promising young stars for a guy you will have for 3 or 4 months. There is no way Sabathia is going to resign in Milwaukee; hes going to a big market, big payroll team ASAP.

7-09-2008 @ 12:50AM

rick brunett said...

gotta love jim hendry, making a very good team a little bit better

7-09-2008 @ 1:18AM

TED said...

THE CUBS ARE KNOWN FOR SOME OF THE WORST TRADES.... MAYBE THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE? COULD THIS BE THE YEAR?

7-09-2008 @ 3:25PM

Collin said...

The Cubs are known for some of the worst trades? Not anytime recently. This current team was built around 2 great trades. Getting Aramis Ramirez and Derek Lee for just about nothing. That and there really haven't been any trades that have hurt the team in a while. The last big trade to not work out was for Nomar and even then, they didn't give up anybody. In fact, they got Murton who was a part of this last deal. My point is that Hendry has made a few very good trades while not making any big mistakes. I'm not sure why they would be known for some of the worst trades.

7-09-2008 @ 6:28AM

claytor said...

This is a sick trade. Harden is younger than Sabathia, and the Cubs get to keep him for another year beyond this.
If this guy can stay healthy...watch the hell out.

They gave up a decent pitching prospect and some outfield jobbers for a guy who, when healthy, can absolutely dominate opposing lineups. And they got bullpen help in Gaudin to boot!

This is nuts. Very slick. The Cubs only glaring weakness was their pitching, and if Harden stays healthy, they just got it in spades.