Cubs Answer Brewers, Land Harden

So the Chicago Cubs have answered back to the Milwaukee Brewers and landed former Oakland pitcher Rich Harden. That sound you're hearing is a collective gasp from Cubs fans when they realize that Harden has been on the DL six times in six seasons. But why should the Cubs get nervous? Their pitchers get hurt after they land in Chicago...not before. There's no way this ends up like Mark Prior--(sorry, it's not my intention to sound this bitter).

Harden has been viewed as a second tier pitcher (with Sabathia being the only true first tier pitcher) this trading season but his numbers have been great when he's pitched (5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season). The Cubs gave up Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton and Josh Donaldson to aquire Harden who has not won more than 11 games in a season in his career.

Two blockbuster deals in three days? I suppose the trading season is officially on. Fasten the seatbelts.

UPDATE: The Cubs also get pitcher Chad Gaudin in the trade. Gaudin is 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA.