More Arms on the Way
Hendry’s done it again. Not to be outdone by the Brewers, he went out and got the Cubs two good arms just a day after the boys up north signed CC Sabathia. Signing Harden and Gaudin gives the Cubs two more quality arms to add to an already strong pitching staff. Harden has been bitten by the injury bug often in his short career, but he seems to be on the mend. He’s 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts for the A’s this season. He throws strikes; with 92 strikeouts in 77 innings he leads the majors with 10.75 K’s per 9 innings.
Gaudin was hardly a last second throw-in. He’s 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 26 appearances, including six starts. He will fit well in the bullpen but will also give Lou an extra starter if someone needs extra rest or Marquis has a late season swoon.
I’m sad to see my buddie Murton leaving town, but hopefully he’ll get to play on a more regular basis in Oakland. When you make a trade with Billy Beane (Oakland’s GM) you know you’re going to have to give up real potential to get what you need. But I can live with Patterson playing elsewhere, Gallagher at least not pitching against us, and the minor league catcher we gave up, Donaldson, wouldn’t be needed for a while since we have a goldmine in Soto. None of the players we gave up would have had a tremendous impact on this year’s team, and Hendry is in it to win it, this year.