Cubs Acquire Harden, Gaudin: Good For Who?

Oft-injured starter Rich Harden is now a Cub along with his fellow teammate Chad Gaudin. 

In a six player deal with the Oakland Athletics the Cubs acquired both pitchers in exchange for starting pitching Sean Gallagher, INF/OF Eric Patterson, OF Matt Murton, and catcher Josh Donaldson.

Harden is 26 years old and is dominant when he is right.  However since entering the Major Leagues Harden has been injury prone. 

Harden has already landed on the disabled list once this season with a shoulder strain (April 10-May 11). 

However Harden has put up decent numbers in only 77 innings of work.  He is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA with the A's this season. 

The Cubs are hoping they can turn his injury laden career around and not allow him to be another Mark Prior. 

As for Chad Gaudin he is more than just a small addition to this trade. 

He is a long man that will really help the Cubs in the bullpen and can be a swing man similar to Jon Lieber right now. 

Gaudin is 25, and has a 5-3 record with a 3.59 ERA this season.  He has made 26 appearances with six of those appearances being starts. 

Gaudin has not allowed an earned run in 15 of his 20 appearances this season. 

Both seem to be good acquisitions to help the Cubs in the stretch run. 

In Mark Mulder's first start since returning from the disabled list he lasted 0.1 innings and left with shoulder discomfort.  This could spell good news for the Cubs. 

The Cubs will now also have to contend with C.C. Sabathia who came over to the Brewers earlier this week and looks to help them contend for the division title or the Wild Card this season. 

Let's just hope Harden stays healthy and the Cubs are still in first place at the end of October.