CUBS GET HARDEN
The Chicago Cubs acquired pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin from the Oakland Athletics for outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, pitcher Sean Gallagher and catcher Josh Donaldson.
What does it give the Chicago Cubs
It's a risky, big-splash move designed to steal headlines from CC Sabathia and the division-rival Brewers. Harden is a front-line stud when healthy, but he's hit the DL six times in six seasons (including a stint this past April), and hasn't pitched 100 innings since 2005. Nevertheless, as long as he's relatively healthy, the move may secure Chicago's status as the National League's best team. Harden also has an affordable team-option for 2009 in his contract, so he can hardly be considered a rental player. At the cost of a few good (but not blue-chip) prospects and a spare outfielder, it's the kind of gamble the Cubs needed to make as they try to snap their World Series drought.
What does it give the Oakland Athletics
It might not seem like much, especially with Oakland only six games back of the Angels in the West and three and a half in the wild card, but this is the type of deal GM Billy Beane loves to make. The A's are pitching heavy (currently second in the AL in ERA) and seem perfectly capable of pulling quality hurlers out of thin air, so it makes sense to deal their oft-injured star (Harden). They receive three good-looking youngsters: Gallagher has good potential and should be a solid starter in upcoming years, Patterson projects to crack the top of their order soon enough and, while Donaldson is more of a project, quality young catchers are hard to find. Murton could also surprise. Despite his accepted status as a reserve outfielder, he played very well the last time he saw everyday action (2006). Their playoff chances may take a bit of a hit this season, but long term the amount of depth they added should off-set losing Harden.
Fantasy impact
