Harden: In response to Milwaukee landing Sabathia, GM Jim Hendry went out and acquired Oakland ace Rich Harden in a six-player deal. The Cubs sent Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton and minor-league catcher Josh Donaldson to the A's for Harden and versatile pitcher Chad Gaudin.
What happened: Dempster was lights out once again at Wrigley. He improved to 10-0 at home by tossing 7 innings of 2-hit baseball, allowing just one run while striking out five. The Cubs posted single runs in the second and third before Mike Fontenot and Geovany Soto clubbed two-run homers for insurance. The Cubs battered Cincy starter Aaron Harang, who has had great success against the Cubs in the past.
More Harden: The big question about Harden is his health. He has a long history of stays on the disabled list, including one earlier this season. Still, he has answered the bell for his last 12 starts. When healthy, Harden is unquestionably one of the best dozen or so starters in baseball. He was the best available pitcher out there after Sabathia went to Milwaukee, and if he's 100 percent, he may in fact be better. Also consider that Harden is under contract through 2009, so he's not a rent-an-arm deal like Sabathia, whom the Brewers most certainly will be unable to sign. Harden is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 13 starts (77 IP). His strikeout to walk ratio is nearly 3-1 (92-31).
As if there was any doubt, this is a sure sign from the Cubs' management to the fans that they are committed to winning. Winning big and winning now. El Hijo is muy excited.
Up next: Reds-Cubs at 7 tonight. Johnny Cueto vs. Carlos Zambrano.
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