Comments on: So long Rich Harden

By: Bee

Bee — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:31:22 +0000

Larry Bittner, did you graduate for GGU Law School in 1979? If so, we have to talk. I was known as Bee Kendall then.

By: Bee

Bee — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:28:48 +0000

The thing that surprised me about the Harden trade was not that Rich was traded, but that the Cubbies got Chad Gaudin too. The jury is out on the players we got in the deal but their numbers don’t look like they measure up to what we gave up. Who is going to fill Chad’s role? He was a creditable starter and I am sorry to see him go.

That being said, Curt Young is an outstanding pitching coach and Billy says that he (Billy) has been interested in Sean Gallagher for a long time, so maybe the latter can become a good starting pitcher for the A’s under Curt’s tutelage.

Yes, the Hudson trade didn’t work out so well for the A’s, but Billy’s other moves have been masterful. I do agree that Harden hasn’t had his usual velocity in his last two starts and that must mean that something physical is going on with him. Maybe we traded him in the nick of time. He is a special pitcher, but if he is breaking down, as experience has shown he often does, it was time to move him.

I think we should take a wait-and-see attitude about the trade. My guess is that Billy will come out smelling like a rose again.

By: Chi-Jes

Chi-Jes — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:41:01 +0000

A Cubs fans perspective! This trade is definitly risk/reward for the Cub. We all know what were getting in Hardin he’s either hurt or lights out. Sean Gallagher is a good young pitcher whos only 22 years old and throws a 95 mile per hour fastball. Murton is a singles hitter who doesnt do much else. Patterson may already be better than that bum of a brother he has. During the limited time hes been up he’s shown flashes of a five tool player. Don’t know much about Donaldson, but Geo Soto is well on his way to becoming the best cather in baseball, so you can have him. Hardin very well can come over and be Mark Prior Part 2, but at this point in time with this team we needed to take the chance at putting us over the top. IMO the deal is well worth the risk, if he manages to be healthy it gives us one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. Thanks for the help Billy! Its been 100 effin years! GO CUBS!

By: ss396

ss396 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:32:07 +0000

Beane is not infallible. The Braves stole Tim Hudson from the A’s for Juan Cruz, Dan Meyer and Charles Thomas.

By: bz

bz — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:42:50 +0000

A Cubs fan, here, checking in on the reaction from the other side of the table.

You’ll like Gallagher – young, strong, good. You’ll like Murton, too, but you gotta play him every day and not get on his case when he shows no home run power at the plate. Patterson? Fast, in center, and on the base paths – not that he gets to touch the dirt all that often! The big win (aside from Gallagher) may be Davidson. With starting all-star catcher – and rookie -Goevany Soto on the Cubs, no need to keep another up-and-coming catcher. So bye-bye Davidson. I suspect you’ll be pleased.

On this end, we’re hoping that Harden digs in, but kinda figure he’ll get hurt after a handful of starts. To that, was Gaudin any good as a starter?! Sure wish they threw with their left hands.

And say, what’s up with that all-the-dogs-you-can-eat in the uppper deck thing? What’s that cost? What’s the record?! Worth a trip?!

By: Jan K Oski

Jan K Oski — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:58:59 +0000

Bill, you’re talking sense that A’s fan don’t want to read. They’d prefer to be bottom-feeders like the rest of the small market teams. They don’t see that the Twins and Rays are doing the same thing and are successful. Guess who they’re copying? Beane is the man, and A’s fan who think otherwise are apes in clothing.

By: Carl

Carl — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:29:00 +0000

i would understand the trade if harden didn’t have another year on his contract, that’s what is baffling, and like someone said, gaudin has a better era and more experience than gallagher? Maybe beane thought it was just best for the team to move these two guys, i can understand that, but if you can’t get more for one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball i don’t know if you do this trade.

By: Gene

Gene — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:52:57 +0000

As a longtime A’s fan checking in from Chicago…

Murton cannot play, period. He is not a good hitter, he has 101 chances to establish himself never took the bull by the horns. Gallagher has potential but he is a year or so away, Patterson is good not great, again not a consistant hitter on any level, good speed though. Josh Donaldson who knows. Thhe people in Chicago are giggling about us taking Gio Gonzales in the Swisher trade, they love him now that his hair is one color, although Ryan Sweeney is playing well.

In Beane we trust….

By: Bill

Bill — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:24:26 +0000

A’s fans, Harden has not and will not stay healthy! Have you watched him the last 5 years? Its a credit to Beane that someone (Cubs) would trade decent prospects for damaged goods. The Cubs were desperate to counter the CC trade and Beane targeted who he wanted from the Cubs. The Swisher/Haren trades provoked the same negative reaction, and we received terrific young players in those deals, have patience A’s fans, and trust in Beane.

By: Brant Brown

Brant Brown — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:32:32 +0000

I’m sure there will be a lot of A’s fans that are disgruntled with this deal, but Larry is right with Matt Murton. We Cub fans truly liked the kid, but there was no place for him on our club. Actually, there was at one time, Hendry was under more pressure to make big, drastic moves as opposed to grooming real talent. Sort of the anti-Billy Beane. Anyway, please, for his sake and ours, enjoy your time with Murton and let the kid thrive.