I drink the Billy Beane Kool Aid by the gallon so after seeing yesterday’s Cubs-A’s trade, I fully expect:
a) Rich Harden to possibly not be available for the postseason this year, and almost certainly not make it to the end of next season without spending significant time on the DL. The current stretch he’s in right now is the first time he’s made 11 straight starts with missing one due to injury. That’s just around two months worth of games. That’s not someone I necessarily someone I want to tie my postseason hopes to, although in the Cubs’ defense, they really gave up no one in their immediate plans to acquire Harden and Chad Gaudin to me is pretty good for a throw in/insurance policy.
b) Sean Gallagher to win 15 games in at least one if not more seasons over the next few years at which point he will be traded for six prospects.
c) Matt Murton’s next season to look like this: .280/.350./.440 with 20 HR, 80 RBI at worst.
And before you Brewers and Cubs fans get too excited about your new aces, just be aware that the last two pitchers acquired in season to win a World Series game were Jeff Weaver in 2006 and Mike Torrez in 1977. Granted, that statement is somewhat weighted but it does speak a little to the success that the deadline deals have had over the last few decades.
