Harden A Cub

They are a decent team, but NOT even close to a playoff team!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch; Ryan Dempster is plain dealing against the Reds.

Go Cubs.

I know as an A's fan I should trust B. Beane, but to give up Harden and Gaudin for a middle of the mill pitcher, a bum in Matt Murton, a utility player, and a minor league C that from what I gather is no better than what we have now, we could/should have gotten more out of this deal!!!!

The risk/reward for making these kinds of trades.  I disagree that Matt Murton is a bum.  Frankly the guy has NEVER had a chance to showcase his talents.  The guy lit up the AAA league and simply needs to play everyday.  If he does that in Oakland and Gallahger pitches the way he did this year (experience the rest of the year in Oakland will help) then next year the A's fans could be saying Rich Harden who?  

I said on another thread that I did not think the Cubs needed to make this move.  I also said if they did it would be Murton and / or Patterson along with pitching prospects.  Was slightly surprised it was Sean Gallahger though...I thought maybe Ceda and Hart (maybe throw in Cedeno (ss) for some more maple bats?) Either way the Murton / Patterson loss is no big deal to the Cubs.  Same reason the Matt LaPorta loss isn't seen as a big deal to Brewers fans....there is no place for them to play in the majors.

The difference is the Brewers are renting Sabathia, Cubs at least get Harden for awhile with an option.

Rivalry rants, pssing matches, homer posts, and pre-mature playoff gushing aside, here are some great points to ponder in the Central Time Zone for once, as opposed to the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network Zone:

I didn't see that coming! The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is by all current accounts the number two pitcher on an NL Central staff?

BTW, it's pronounced "Gow-Dan":  Billy Beane sent Rich Harden packing for that?  The Chi-Sox will tell you Harden has lost velocity...we'll see.  For Cubs fans not up on their A's recent history, Chad Gaudin was productive in the AL for a time last year...this will become an impressive "throw in" for Jim Hendry, but Beane has certainly seen the Harden MRI's more often...too often to be comfortable keeping him...ergo, Gaudin as the throw in to get it behind him.

Baseball Tonight for the second night in a row has spent their "top story" time slot in the National League Central, you know; that "putrid doormat" of a division...hmmm?

Got Baseball?:  Top stories drawn from EST tonight: A-Rod's cash cow is cashing in; Giambi's "flavor saver"... 

Line 'em up: Rotations re-set during the All-Star break; so will it follow that: July 28th at Miller Park: Sheets vs Zambrano?   July 29th at Miller Park: Sabathia vs. Harden?  Will we see Cubs/Brewers on Wednesday night baseball on 7/30?  

For the record I :CC Sabathia 1-0 on the season for the Crew.  2008 vs. National League: 3-0, 1.86 ERA, almost 12 k's per 9 innings.  (That's including a 5k/5bb nervous game tonight).

For the record II:There are no "periods" in CC Sabathia.

For the record III: Three 50 win teams currently reside in the NL Central.