Baseball Rumor News

In a Cubs Press Release today the team announced that they have acquired two pitchers from the A’s, Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin. While many people will speculate that this is a direct response to the Brewers acquisition of CC Sabathia, but this move was something the Cubs have needed all season. It is true that the Brewers move may have forced Chicago GM Jim Hendry’s hand a bit, but another top of the line starter was something that the team had coveted for some time. With the depth that the two new pitchers bring to the rotation and bullpen, the Cubs pitching just received a huge shot in the arm.

It appears to me that the Cubs really come out on top with this deal, even though it is hard to second guess A’s GM Billy Beane and his eye for talent. I thought that the Cubs would have had to give up more for these two pitchers. The A’s will receive four players in return: SP Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton, 2B Eric Patterson, and C Josh Donaldson. Gallagher and Murton have shown their potential, so they are both very low risk and will probably benefit the A’s this year. Particularly Murton should benefit from increased at-bats. Patterson has speed, but hasn’t shown he can hit Major League pitching consistently and Donaldson was the Cubs 2nd round pick in 2007. Donaldson was also very expendable do to the success of rookie Geovany Soto. The one way the Cubs might get hurt by this trade is if Harden is unable to remain healthy, but they are still deep at the position, having not included lefty starter Sean Marshall in the deal. Only time will tell, but the Cubs have reaffirmed that they are shooting for the top in 2008.

At this ate, expect the Cardinals to make some decisions very soon about where they want to take this season.