Cubs Acquire Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin From Athletics

Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden are both heading to the North Side of the Windy City.
The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.

The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

“We’ve been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to $4.75 million this season.

The oft-injured righty missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.

The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team Wednesday and that he’ll pitch either Friday or Saturday night at Wrigley against the San Francisco Giants.

Just Like the Milwaukee Brewer trade for C.C Sabathia, the Cubs have sacraficed some of their good future talent (Murton, Patterson, Gallagher) for the shot at ending their Century Long Chamionship Drought.

Good move by the Cubbies. It's not as Earth Shattering as the Brewers trade for C.C Sabathia, but it a good move nonetheless. The Cubs get help in their starting rotation in Harden and Bullpen help in Gaudin.