I knew it wouldnt take long...

[Coach34]

Cubs rumored to be trying to acquire Rich Harden of the Athletics...that would be a great pick-up if they can swing it

 

[OMlawdog]

The farm system is horrible right now, and after suffering through Prior/Wood injury prone pitchers, not sure it is a good idea to go after harden.

Harden's stuff is filthy, but how long until he is on the DL.

 

[Coach34]

its probably one of their young starters and who knows what else. Harden just needs to last 3 more months, he is damn well worth the gamble. He would give them 4 solid starters now that Lilly is throwing alot better, and that makes them the best team in the NL once Soriano gets back.

 

[TilloDawg]

would have to go out and counter the Brewers move. I'm like you though, who are they gonna give up ? The farm system isn't exactly full of prospects.....and I mean by a loooong shot. I keep hearing the AJ Burnett rumor, but I don't know if I'm sold on that, and I don't think Henry is either.

 

[Coach34]

has some good stuff, but he hasnt quite figured it all out yet, i'd much rather have Harden

 

[BlindDawg]

Harden is really good. Lots of people think he has the best stuff in the majors, but given his injury history and the haul of players the A's are asking for, I don't think it is worth the risk. Its been rumored that the A's want a similar package as to what they got for Dan Haren last year which was a pretty significant package of players. Here's a note about the Cubs going after Harden from www.mlbtraderumors.com -

Baseball America ranked Carlos Gonzalez as the game's #22 prospect, and Brett Anderson was #36. The Cubs don't have two players like that. Then add Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, who have combined for a 3.52 ERA in 207 innings this year. Oh, and toss in Chris Carter and Aaron Cunningham for good measure. That was a haul, even for an ace like Haren.

I don't know what the Cubs farm system is like (though everything I've heard it isn't that great), but I think its gonna be hard for most teams to match the 2 top 35ish prospects, 2 guys who can step in your rotation immediately, and two more prospects that the A's got last year from AZ.

 

[BlindDawg]

Burnett may be the better guy to go after. He has good stuff, and will come at a far cheaper price without quite as big of a health risk (although he does have some himself). Also, with Zambrano, Lily, and Dempster at the top of the rotation its not like the Cubs need a Sabathia type acquisition. They just need to someone to solidify the middle/back of the rotation.

 

[RebelBruiser]

Burnett may be the better guy to go after. He has good stuff, and will come at a far cheaper price without quite as big of a health risk (although he does have
some himself). Also, with Zambrano, Lily, and Dempster at the top of the rotation its not like the Cubs need a Sabathia type acquisition. They just need to
someone to solidify the middle/back of the rotation.

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Agree, while another starting arm is the only thing I think the Cubs need, I don't think it's a desperate need. It might help them get over that hump from playoff team to World Series team, but they could get by without acquiring another arm.

To be honest, I think they'd be better off worrying about starting pitching this off-season rather than worrying about it right now.

 

[Coach34]

most teams are going with 4 starters during the playoffs, and I dont want to see them going into Game 3 and Game 4 of any series with Ted Lilly and Sean Gallagher...If they want to do anything, they have got to have that 3rd quality starter

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

most teams are going with 4 starters during the playoffs, and I dont want to see them going into Game 3 and Game 4 of any series with Ted Lilly and Sean Gallagher...If they want to do anything, they have got to have that 3rd quality starter

Marquis is probably ahead of Gallagher at this point, but I would have to agree that they need one more quality arm to be more than a playoff team.
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