Harden traded to the Cubs

Zen653 · 07-09-2008, 12:44 AM

The Oakland A's traded Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Josh Donaldson.

Quote:

CHICAGO -- One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered.

Intent on ending their 100-year drought without a World Series title, the NL Central leaders acquired talented right-hander Rich Harden in a six-player deal with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.

"He's got really good stuff," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "He knows how to win. A welcome addition."

With CC Sabathia going to Milwaukee, Harden was the best available pitcher, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

"We felt that the two high end guys who would possibly be available were the two that have already been traded. Those are legit one and two starters. So we tried to focus on trying to acquire one," Hendry said.

ESPN - Cubs trade four players to A's for pitchers Harden, Gaudin - MLB

I don't know much about the minor leaguers headed to Oakland, so it's tough for me to assess this deal. My initial reaction is one of skepticism. I think Beane could have landed a lot more than he did for both Haren and Harden.

Grandstander · 07-09-2008, 09:00 AM

It is hard to see what the supposed upside of the players coming to Oakland is, none have what you would call eye popping stats. Maybe Harden's six trips to the dl track record made other GMs gun shy and he was a harder sell than we might have thought. The Cubs have rather famously been hit with poor luck when it comes to the health of pitchers this decade,so it's surprising that they would be the ones willing to take a chance of Harden.

It is also possible that the A's know something about Harden's potential for remaining healthy which has been concealed from the public. Beane learned his craft under Sandy Alderson and Alderson was a believer in protecting every bit of information that could be protected. A's moves have typically been surprises, no weeks of swirling rumors, just out of the blue....he's gone.

thepichi · 07-09-2008, 05:34 PM

Cubs are a serious contender now to win the World Series. If Harden stays healthy they have a good chance. They have great players, they also need Soriano back.

The Brewers made a good move, but I think is not enough to run for the Championship.

Nat · 07-10-2008, 08:41 AM

I'm skeptical also, but Beane has a good track record both recently & historically when trading his stars. Still, as a fan I AM getting a bit weary of this "we're building for the next three years" crap.

jtur88 · 07-10-2008, 09:50 AM

Oakland, 4.5 games back at the allstar break, has dropped so far behind, they are dismantling their team and building for the future.

Edge · 07-10-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepichi

Cubs are a serious contender now to win the World Series. If Harden stays healthy they have a good chance. They have great players, they also need Soriano back.

The Brewers made a good move, but I think is not enough to run for the Championship.

The Cubs will choke like usual.

Who would want to face the Brewer's 1-2 punch of Sheets and Sabathia in the playoffs?

Zen653 · 07-10-2008, 11:37 PM

The Cubs look very strong. This might be their year. Great pitching, solid offense, and a phenomenal fan base who should give them a tremendous home field advantage. A playoff rotation of Zambrano, Harden, Lilly and Dempster is going to be exceedingly difficult to beat. Then you have Wood as the closer, and a tough batting order featuring Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soto. I'm not sure if there's a better team in the National League.

The Phillies might have a better offense, but their pitching is weak compared to Chicago's. The Diamondbacks have great pitching (Webb, Haren, Johnson) but a suspect offense. If they add a bat at the deadline, watch out. The Brewers, while much improved, probably don't have enough to match the Cubs. The Cardinals are playing with smoke and mirrors and will fizzle out by the end of August.

Right now, I see the Cubs coming out of the NL after a hard-fought 6 or 7-game series against the Phillies in the NLCS. In the American League, it's still too early to tell. I don't expect the Rays to continue playing this well, so I guess the Red Sox might have another run in them. They need to work out their bullpen problems and get Ortiz back healthy.

Nat · 07-12-2008, 06:36 PM

Well, so much for my "not trading for now" assertion towards Beane. Gallagher allowed only 2 hits in his debut against the Angels last night.

Edge · 07-24-2008, 12:56 PM

Sabathia has been 4-0 with the Brewers they have closed the gap to 1 game.

Since July 1, the Brewers have been 14-5.

The Cubs have been 9 and 9

07-10-2008, 08:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,136	I'm skeptical also, but Beane has a good track record both recently & historically when trading his stars. Still, as a fan I AM getting a bit weary of this "we're building for the next three years" crap. __________________ Brush the dirt off ya shoulders... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZJex9Ge2-Q

07-10-2008, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
jtur88 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 7,580	Oakland, 4.5 games back at the allstar break, has dropped so far behind, they are dismantling their team and building for the future. __________________ ------------------ RE-ELECT McCAIN

07-10-2008, 11:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
Zen653 Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6,580	The Cubs look very strong. This might be their year. Great pitching, solid offense, and a phenomenal fan base who should give them a tremendous home field advantage. A playoff rotation of Zambrano, Harden, Lilly and Dempster is going to be exceedingly difficult to beat. Then you have Wood as the closer, and a tough batting order featuring Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Fukudome and Soto. I'm not sure if there's a better team in the National League. The Phillies might have a better offense, but their pitching is weak compared to Chicago's. The Diamondbacks have great pitching (Webb, Haren, Johnson) but a suspect offense. If they add a bat at the deadline, watch out. The Brewers, while much improved, probably don't have enough to match the Cubs. The Cardinals are playing with smoke and mirrors and will fizzle out by the end of August. Right now, I see the Cubs coming out of the NL after a hard-fought 6 or 7-game series against the Phillies in the NLCS. In the American League, it's still too early to tell. I don't expect the Rays to continue playing this well, so I guess the Red Sox might have another run in them. They need to work out their bullpen problems and get Ortiz back healthy. __________________ My teams know how to win: 2001, 2003, 2004 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 2004, 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox 2006 Spain: FIBA World Basketball Champions 2006, 2007 Sevilla FC: UEFA Cup Champions 2008 World Champion Boston Celtics 2008 Spain: European Cup Champions

07-12-2008, 06:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,136	Well, so much for my "not trading for now" assertion towards Beane. Gallagher allowed only 2 hits in his debut against the Angels last night. __________________ Brush the dirt off ya shoulders... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZJex9Ge2-Q

07-09-2008, 09:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
Grandstander Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Northern California Posts: 5,757	It is hard to see what the supposed upside of the players coming to Oakland is, none have what you would call eye popping stats. Maybe Harden's six trips to the dl track record made other GMs gun shy and he was a harder sell than we might have thought. The Cubs have rather famously been hit with poor luck when it comes to the health of pitchers this decade,so it's surprising that they would be the ones willing to take a chance of Harden. It is also possible that the A's know something about Harden's potential for remaining healthy which has been concealed from the public. Beane learned his craft under Sandy Alderson and Alderson was a believer in protecting every bit of information that could be protected. A's moves have typically been surprises, no weeks of swirling rumors, just out of the blue....he's gone.

07-09-2008, 05:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
thepichi Rookie Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7	Cubs are a serious contender now to win the World Series. If Harden stays healthy they have a good chance. They have great players, they also need Soriano back. The Brewers made a good move, but I think is not enough to run for the Championship.

07-24-2008, 12:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Edge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 479	Sabathia has been 4-0 with the Brewers they have closed the gap to 1 game. Since July 1, the Brewers have been 14-5. The Cubs have been 9 and 9