The Cubs did what they needed to do; they fortified the rotation by adding Rich Harden of the Oakland A's. Harden's 5-1 this year with a 2.34 ERA. More impressive? His strikeout to walk ratio is nearly 3-1. That's a guy with some stuff. I assume they'll run out Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Dempster, and Marquis or Marshall. Oddly, the guy with the most wins (Dempster) will probably look like the 4th starter because they'll want to break up the righthanders. That's why I also suspect Marshall, a lefthander, will remain in the rotation. Marquis may be traded or moved to the bullpen.
Is Harden better than Brewers' acquisition CC Sabathia? No. But a couple of things make the deal better. First, Harden is younger, cheaper and signed through the end of 2009. Sabathia's a rental for the rest of the year, if he doesn't eat his way out of baseball by then, a real possibility. CC's going to LOVE Milwaukee--food as far as the eye can see. Keep your fingers far away from the Brewers postgame buffets with Prince Fielder and CC chowing down. You could get hurt. Really. Second, the Cubs got Chad Gaudin in the deal as well. Gaudin is a solid, journeyman right hander with an ERA under 4 in the American League. He'll slide nicely into the bullpen and he's started this year. He's the caddy for Harden. Harden has an injury history; he's never gone under the knife but he's had a variety of strains. If Harden misses a start or two, Gaudin (or Marshall or Marquis) is there to pick him up. Finally, the Cubs gave up little. I like Matt Murton, but he doesn't have the power to be a corner outfielder. Josh Donaldson, a single A catcher, is expendable, especially if the young, cheap and talented Geovany Soto keeps on going the way he's going. Patterson is a head case. Gallagher is a fine young pitcher and losing him hurts--but Harden is significantly better and only four years older (26-22). I think Milwaukee gave up more for a rental than the Cubs did for at least a year and a half.
Somehow, the Cardinals keep hanging in there, but I don't see how. I just keep thinking the season will wear them down. Milwaukee is charging hard and CC makes them better. I suspect--I hope--the bullpen will make the difference and, again, Gaudin is not just a throw-in. The Cubs can now send out Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Eyre, Howry, Wuertz, Lieber (who could also be cut to make room for Hardin), Gaudin, and/or Marshall/Marquis at various times. The latter four can start as well. And Rich Hill is still trying to work out his crazy control issues and, who knows, might appear again. It's a deep, good rotation and bullpen, even accounting for the fact that Harden could miss a week or two (and Ben Sheets for the Brewers is more fragile than Harden). The Brewers simply don't have that kind of depth. I hope. Buckle your seatbelts.
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