Chicago Cubs Ready for Strong Run with a Mid Season Steal

With the recent additions of Harden and Gaudin, the Cubs are poised for a strong run to October.  I know it's still early and there is plenty of the season left, but this is the best Cubs team ever, top-to-bottom.

The Cubs have solidified their pitching staff with one of the biggest pre-All-Star game trades in recent memory.  Harden will add depth to the rotation that should match up favorably with the upstart Brewers.  The potential match-ups are a dream come true:  Zambrano and Sheets, Harden and Sabathia, Dempster and Parra. 

Not to mention the Cubs still have Marquis and Lilly at the end of the rotation.  The relief pitching has been outstanding to this point.  Howry and Marmol has set the table for Wood in the ninth and Wood has been strong. 

The best part of the trade with the A's is that the Cubs gave up very little.  Reserve outfielders, Murton and Patterson have been contributers, but do not have staying power in the Chicago outfield.  Sean Gallagher and a catching prospect finished out the deal on the Cubs side. 

With the emergence of Soto behind the plate and the strong arms in the bullpen, Chicago fans will gladly part ways. It is not often that you can make a trade of this magnitude without mortgaging the team's future by giving up prospects.  Yet, the Cubs were able to keep the farm system intact while improving the staff.

The line-up has been strong as well.  Fukudome has been a presence at the top of the order, providing a solid left-handed hitter and staibility in right field. 

Edmonds has taken over in center and Soriano should be back in the line-up after the All-Star game. 

Ramirez and Lee continue to swing a hot bat and Theriot has been a catalyst for the offense.  If they can stay hot, the Cubs will stay a top the Central for the rest of the season and make a strong run into the playoffs. 

It's been 100 years since the last championship and the Cubs have positioned themselves beautifully to end the drought this season.  Solid hitting wins games, but strong pitching wins championships and right now, the Cubs have both.