Cubs Cement Starting Rotation With Harden

This just in minutes ago: the Chicago Cubs have acquired Rich Harden from the A's. Just days after the Brewers made news with the acquisition of (CC) C. C. Sabathia, today the Cubs have landed a top pitcher of their own in Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and a minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

The only surprise in this one for the Cubs is the departure from top prospect Eric Patterson. If Patterson pans out like he is supposed to, unlike his older brother, this may turn what now looks like a terrible trade for the A's into just a bad one. People may point to the four times he has been sent down this season, but are forgetting that he is still young and the Cubs have been dealing with some health issues making the need for him to go up and down from the bigs.
Gallagher did not amaze in his time taking over for the injured Carlos Zambrano. He could be a decent starter at the back end of the A's rotation. Matt Murton has repeatedly given his chance in the line-up and never taken advantage of it. There is really no loss in a A catcher hitting only a tad over the Mendoza line.
Gaudin could potentially be a fifth starter or a solid reliever for the Cubs.

With this trade, the Cubs make sure that they can not only make it to the World Series, but also have a chance of winning it.