MLB odds: Cubs counter Brewers, get Harden

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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Well, that was quick! One day after the NL Central rival Milwaukee Brewers acquired CC Sabathia from Cleveland, the Central-leading Cubs made a statement by getting Rich Harden from the Oakland A’s.

"That's the way you do it," Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez said. "Milwaukee got CC and our front office went out there and got another No. 1 starter. That tells you something, that they want to go for the World Series.” (The Cubs are the second-favorites to win the Series on WagerWeb.com at +375.)

And Harden, when healthy, might be a better pitcher than Sabathia. That’s the problem, however: Harden is rarely healthy. The Cubs weren't scared off by the fact that Harden has had six stints on the disabled list over the past three-plus seasons.

"Obviously there's some risk involved," Cubs GM Jim Hendry said. "He's missed some time but he's never had any surgery. We did extensive work with their doctors."

Between those six stints on the DL, Harden has compiled a 20-8 record in just 51 starts and a few relief appearances since the beginning of the 2005 season. That includes a 5-1 record with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season, which he began on the disabled list with a lingering shoulder strain.

Harden is expected to debut for the Cubs either Friday or Saturday against the Giants and will slide in as the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation.

 

"It's no secret that when he's [pitching], he's about as good as it gets," Hendry said. "You can hear that from any player in the American League.”

The Cubs also received pitcher Chad Gaudin (5-3, 3.59 ERA), who is expected to head to the bullpen but can be a fill-in starter. In fact, Chicago insisted he be in the deal as insurance for the rotation if Harden goes down again.

The beauty of this move for Chicago fans is the Cubs really gave up nothing in present-day value: extra outfielder Matt Murton, second baseman Eric Patterson (up and down from Triple-A), Class A catcher Josh Donaldson and rookie starter Sean Gallagher. Only Gallagher really projected to contribute for Chicago this year.

The key to the deal, according to A’s GM Billy Beane, was the Cubs' willingness to part with Gallagher, 22. He began the season at Triple-A and was 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) with the Cubs. He is expected to start for Oakland on Friday.

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