For a set of AAA players, the Chicago Cubs have finally shown me that they have what it takes to win the National League and ultimately the World Series this year. So long Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and Sean Gallagher...welcome to Chicago Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin.
Don't get me wrong, I feel that Gallagher will be a very successful major leaguer in his time but as for Murton and Patterson, good riddance.
The Cubs got a pitcher back this afternoon who, when healthy, is as good as just about any in the game. The gap I have complained about with legit #2 starters in the NL, it is no more. Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano will complement each other greatly in the Cubs push for post season glory. The two are just as good and if not better than the Haren/Webb and Sabathia/Sheets tandems.
What the Cubs gave up was very minimal. As I have stated, Sean Gallagher will one day be a star in a major league uniform. Although it will not be with the Cubs, best of luck to him as his career on the west coast now begins.
I am not so much sold on either Matt Murton or Eric Patterson. How Billy Beane gave up a great and another solid pitcher and asked for these two in return, I am shocked. Murton may bat .290 once more if he starts 145 games or so in a year. However, that will be a one time thing. He struggles with guys on base and plays the field terribly.
Eric Patterson is a lot the same story. A much better second baseman than outfielder, still no solid glove here. Want a guy who will chase pitches out of the strike zone? Although not as bad as his still teammate Murton, Patterson won't be competing for any gold gloves in his career.
The Cubs brought in Rich Harden. If healthy, forget being a number two pitcher, this is the Cubs ace. With his an arm an obvious question mark, I understand where the concern is about Rich Harden in a Cubs uniform.
Many Cubs fans were upset that the Brewers were able to pull in Sabathia while the Cubs only mustered up Harden. My only question is who cares? CC Sabathia has not had the year many expected him to this season. Although the Brewers did win his first outing tonight, he did strikeout just as many batters as he walked, 5 a piece.
CC Sabathia was the hot commodity this trade season, and trust me I feel he is a better overall pitcher than Harden when both are on their "A" games. He has yet to put together a string of starts this year though to make me think he is better for this season.
Sabathia is also not under contract past this post season. Although the Cubs have as just about as much money as any other team to spend on players, I like the fact Harden will be around at least a year and a half in a Cubs uniform.
Wrigleyville may be a bit upset that the Cubs did not acquire CC Sabathia but they got a darn good pitcher who could very possibly be a better acquisition than the big fella.
The Brewers and Cubs have made their moves, will St. Louis now answer? If not, watch for the Cards to quickly fade. Before these moves I thought the Cardinals were going to start to fall out of contention, now after the moves expect to see St. Louis finish at least 8 games behind the NL Central Champs, whether they happen to be from Chicago or Milwaukee.
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3 months ago
Nick, Billy Beane wasn't robbed. Not by a long shot. He knows what he's doing. He wasn't going to commit $7million to pick up his option next year because he's just too much of a health risk. He's always hurt, ala Mark Prior. Sabathia is, by far, the better pitcher. He has won 19 games and a Cy Young award and has been healthy and he's left-handed. The most Harden has ever won is 11.
3 months ago
Gaudin and Harden are LEGIT! I think the Cubbies definitely got the better of this deal.
3 months ago
I will never consider Billy Beane robbed until it is proven so. Beane always seems to get good value when he trades away his stars and I will consider that to be the same case in this deal unless it proves otherwise.
3 months ago
Come on Cub fan Bob! Murton is a DH with little power. Patterson??? At least his brother can actually catch the ball! This trade to me was Harden for Gallager. Gallager lost his job to Marshall when Z came back.
3 months ago
And now Marshall lost his job to Harden.
Ok, first off, never underestimate Billy Beane, his only mistake to date MIGHT be Andre Ethier to LA for Milton Bradley, although Bradley was extremely productive and Ethier is slowing slightly.
Let's look back though.
Mulder for Dan Haren, Kiko Calero and Daric Barton
Hudson for Dan Meyers, Juan Cruz and Charles Thomas
Dan Haren traded for Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez.
If you look at the big picture, Beane gave away 3 All-Star pitchers, and in return he got 12 players... (to be perfectly honest, Haren was traded along with another player, so it's still 4 for 12)
Yes, Beane gives away talent, but only when the financial game comes into play, and he always gets good potential talent back.
Look for Murton to start in the outfield, and Patterson to develop. The difference will be the environment. The Cubs are expected to win every year. The A's see 12,000 a game, and consider themselves lucky to compete. Murton and Patterson will get a little more exposure, and they'll come around. Gallagher will win 12 games on the season, between the Cubs and A's.
Look for him to be a big trade piece in 2011.
3 months ago
Nick, nice article and good headline. When I first saw the trade, I agree I thought we stole Harden and Gaudin for a bunch of role players and one decent pitcher. Murton will probably be a fourth outfielder, and Patterson has no real position that he has excelled at. Donaldson has no shot at helping the Cus with Soto at catcher for years to come. As for Gallagher, we have to give up something to get something, and he became expendable when we Beane included Gaudin in the trade as well. If Harden stays healthy, he can become a fixture on this team for years to come.
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