RealGM

Rich Harden for Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher, Josh Donaldson, and Eric Patterson

Deal confirmed by Jim Hendry

Pretty good deal for the Cubbies.

Wow...that's all Harden can get you?

I didn't wanna post this on the Cubs board SW, but with how little the Cubs gave up are you worried that Harden is about to break down since OAK basically gave him away? Even if he does get hurt it's still prolly a good move if for nothing else but responding to MIL with a move of your own.

TyCobb wrote:Wow...that's all Harden can get you?

i think chad gaudin is also in the deal.

blueNorange wrote:

TyCobb wrote:Wow...that's all Harden can get you?

i think chad gaudin is also in the deal.

Yes, Gaudin is also in the deal. Lou said he would go to the bullpen and he could fill in if someone goes down.

so ... who do the cardinals trade for??

i am confused as to why shapiro and now beane are trading there best trade chips 3 weeks before the deadline, the longer you hold them the more there value can stay up

Looks like the Cubs didn't want to waste anytime, or risk falling back. The only bad part about this is that Harden could be Prior, Part II.

SportsWorld wrote:

blueNorange wrote:

TyCobb wrote:Wow...that's all Harden can get you?

i think chad gaudin is also in the deal.

Yes, Gaudin is also in the deal. Lou said he would go to the bullpen and he could fill in if someone goes down.

That's pretty stupid. I would put Gaudin in the rotation and put Marquis in the bullpen.

Da Schwab wrote:The only bad part about this is that Harden could be Prior, Part II.

bove310 wrote:but with how little the Cubs gave up are you worried that Harden is about to break down since OAK basically gave him away?

Lets hope.

studcrackers wrote:i am confused as to why shapiro and now beane are trading there best trade chips 3 weeks before the deadline, the longer you hold them the more there value can stay up

Harden has this injury problem you may have heard of.

blueNorange wrote:so ... who do the cardinals trade for??

Some prospects.

*Sigh* Harden is such a fun pitcher to watch. Dude is so impressive. I hate seeing our top guys leave Oakland, but I'm used to it. At least he's goin to the Cubs a team I don't hate and can watch on WGN.

I'm no expert but it seems like Oakland didn't get that much in return, especially when you throw in Gaudin who can be extremely good as well.

Love the deal for the Cubs.

Murton and Patterson have are largely irrelevant. Both have massive defensive limitations (a little surprising these two were involved considering Oakland's latest defensive philosophy) and don't really hit enough to justify starting in a corner outfield spot.

Donaldson is still very raw and his position will be occupied by Geo for the next 7-8 years.

Gallagher is the only really valuable piece they gave up, and he's an alright #5 starter who could one day be a solid #3 guy or something. A good asset, but this trade helps the Cubs in the short-term much more. This team is ready to win now and Harden will massively help if he can magically stay healthy. It's a risk worth taking.

Zambrano - 2.96 ERA
Harden - 2.34 ERA
Dempster - 3.24 ERA
Lilly - 4.47 ERA
Marshall - 4.16 ERA

Plus, we get Gaudin who can help out a bullpen that's been less than stellar lately. I like it.

This deal is very good on paper for the Cubs, but given Harden's injury history, whether or not he can stay healthy AND effective is very uncertain. He pitched in 38 games TOTAL from 2005-07, and he's even missed a few this year.

I'm extremely pissed right now so it's time for me to talk a walk!

bigboy1234 wrote:

Da Schwab wrote:The only bad part about this is that Harden could be Prior, Part II.

bove310 wrote:but with how little the Cubs gave up are you worried that Harden is about to break down since OAK basically gave him away?

Lets hope.

studcrackers wrote:i am confused as to why shapiro and now beane are trading there best trade chips 3 weeks before the deadline, the longer you hold them the more there value can stay up

Harden has this injury problem you may have heard of.

blueNorange wrote:so ... who do the cardinals trade for??

Some prospects.

i can understand the reasoning behind beane trading harden before he got hurt, but 1 he got a crappy return and 2 had he and shapiro waited 2 weeks they both couldve gotten better packages then what they just received.

this just makes me appreciate what jon daniels did to the braves last year, his package is 2 times as good as either of these

I'm pretty much with everybody else. I would have thought Harden could have gotten more than that.

yall have to account for the fact hardens arm will spontaneously combust anytime now

Canadians are invading the Cubs starting rotation.
Muahahaha

Mr Smoke Weed wrote:yall have to account for the fact hardens arm will spontaneously combust anytime now

i look at as both teams have dominant horses (cc and big z) and dominant but injury prone guys (sheets and harden)