Cubs Reported to have traded for Harden

**throwittoblythe** · 07-09-2008, 08:22 AM

I think it will work out for the Cubs in the end, but I would be a little wary.

The Cards thought they were getting a steal when they got Mulder for Danny Haren. I honestly think the A's knew that Mulder was going to break down soon and were getting rid of him before he actually did. So many people are saying "why would the A's get rid of their ace when they are still in the race for the division/wild card?" I think he might not be 100% and they know it. It will be interesting to see how things go from here on out.

Also, I'm hoping the Cards will make a deal, but I know they won't. They haven't made a big mid-season move since they got Scott Rolen 5 or so years ago. LaRussa will continue with his "when Carpenter and Wainwright come off the DL, that's like trading for two top of the line pitchers" BS. I see the Cubs all but taking the central and the Cards falling behind the Brewers in the wild card by the end of this month.

**cybsball20** · 07-09-2008, 08:47 AM

Pie is not a Billy Beane type player. He is a toolsy guy they HOPE can develop. Beane likes proven hitters and hopes he can hide their other flaws.

**tejasclone** · 07-09-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by throwittoblythe

I think it will work out for the Cubs in the end, but I would be a little wary.

The Cards thought they were getting a steal when they got Mulder for Danny Haren. I honestly think the A's knew that Mulder was going to break down soon and were getting rid of him before he actually did. So many people are saying "why would the A's get rid of their ace when they are still in the race for the division/wild card?" I think he might not be 100% and they know it. It will be interesting to see how things go from here on out.

Also, I'm hoping the Cards will make a deal, but I know they won't. They haven't made a big mid-season move since they got Scott Rolen 5 or so years ago. LaRussa will continue with his "when Carpenter and Wainwright come off the DL, that's like trading for two top of the line pitchers" BS. I see the Cubs all but taking the central and the Cards falling behind the Brewers in the wild card by the end of this month.

I too will be curious to see if Beane pulled another Mulder with Rich Harden. Note to Cubs fans: this is not sour grapes coming from a Cards fan whose team will surely do nothing in response to the Harden and Sabathia deals. It will be legitimately interesting to see how Harden performs, and if he can stay healthy. Beane is a trickster. He's the Puck of baseball.

Mulder starts tonight for the Cards against the Phillies. We'll finally get to see if there is anything there or not. My guess is he'll get lit up for 7 runs in less than 2 innings and the Cards will call it another phantom injury, and he'll be done. That's fine with me if he never starts again. Time to cut our losses and move forward.

Wainwright is a guy we absolutely need back if we intend to stay in this race. Carpenter would be nothing more than a bonus if we get anything from him this year.

**ahaselhu** · 07-09-2008, 09:04 AM

I'm not too upset about losing Gallagher, because it sounds like Gaudin is just as good, if not better. I'm not sold that Murton was a big loss either. The only one I'm really sorry to see go is Patterson. He seemed to be improving a lot this year, and I think has a better chance of being a quality player than Murton.

All in all, I don't think this is a bad move as long as either Harden or Gaudin pan out.

**mwitt** · 07-09-2008, 06:41 PM

According to Lou Piniella, Rich Harden will debut for the Cubs on July 21st at Houston. He last pitched on July 6th at US Cellular Field.

Len and Bob were just talking about the possibility of skipping his starts from time to time in the second half to try to make sure he's strong in the second half.

If true, then I think we just found out why Beane accepted that deal three weeks before the deadline, and perhaps that's how Hendry got Beane to throw Gaudin in.

**superdorf** · 07-09-2008, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

According to Lou Piniella, Rich Harden will debut for the Cubs on July 21st at Houston. He last pitched on July 6th at US Cellular Field.

Len and Bob were just talking about the possibility of skipping his starts from time to time in the second half to try to make sure he's strong in the second half.

If true, then I think we just found out why Beane accepted that deal three weeks before the deadline, and perhaps that's how Hendry got Beane to throw Gaudin in.

Okay... This makes me real nervous. So Marshall will be starting until then? How many skipped starts is that?

**mwitt** · 07-09-2008, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by superdorf

Okay... This makes me real nervous. So Marshall will be starting until then? How many skipped starts is that?

Only one skipped start. There are five games left until the break, and then Lou said in today's press conference before the game that Rich would pitch the fourth game after the break.

He read the order after the break. I believe he said Lilly, Zambrano, Dempster, Harden. I know Lilly was first.

**superdorf** · 07-09-2008, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Only one skipped start. There are five games left until the break, and then Lou said in today's press conference before the game that Rich would pitch the fourth game after the break.

He read the order after the break. I believe he said Lilly, Zambrano, Dempster, Harden. I know Lilly was first.

Probably cause Z and Demps are pitching in the All-star game.

**chuckd4735** · 07-09-2008, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

According to Lou Piniella, Rich Harden will debut for the Cubs on July 21st at Houston. He last pitched on July 6th at US Cellular Field.

Len and Bob were just talking about the possibility of skipping his starts from time to time in the second half to try to make sure he's strong in the second half.

If true, then I think we just found out why Beane accepted that deal three weeks before the deadline, and perhaps that's how Hendry got Beane to throw Gaudin in.

Cubs are in Arizona on the 21st...

**mwitt** · 07-09-2008, 07:54 PM

You're right, my fault. The first series after the break is Houston.

**chuckd4735** · 07-09-2008, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

You're right, my fault. The first series after the break is Houston.

Will he pitch the first day back on Friday?

**kcclones** · 07-09-2008, 08:00 PM

Right at the opening of the ballgame they said he was still planned to start Friday or Saturday.

**mwitt** · 07-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by nickborton

Right at the opening of the ballgame they said he was still planned to start Friday or Saturday.

Then that decision was made in the last hour. During the pregame they said he would not, Lou said he would not in his afternoon press conference, and he is not listed as a probable pitcher on the Cubs website.

**cycloneman003** · 07-09-2008, 08:03 PM

If that is true that harden wont debut until after the allstar break then i think gaudin will be starting games. i think it is a good idea to give rich some starts off to keep him healthy... its nearly a given that the cubs will make the playoffs, either as central champs or wild card, they just really need rich harden to be healthy for the playoffs so they can make a championship run

**kcclones** · 07-09-2008, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by mwitt

Then that decision was made in the last hour. During the pregame they said he would not, Lou said he would not in his afternoon press conference, and he is not listed as a probable pitcher on the Cubs website.

I would rather them be safe with him and keep his arm fresh.