Cubs Eyeing Harden, Wolf?

What do the cubs have in the way of middle INF prospects?

I think a 3 team deal might be the only way they get Harden.

forlife,

You are definatley right about that. And Athletics Domination is right about the Cubs possibly having to make a three-team deal. The Cubs really have no option in putting Vitters, Ceda, and Smardjiza(Can't spell his name) into a deal with-out a 3rd team. And probably another as well. But if they do a three team deal with someone who has prospects, the Cubs will probably have to include on of the fore mentioned players. And if they don't who else other then Gallagher is Big League ready that could appeal a team?

A 3 team trade may also be the only way they can get AJ Burnett unless they trade Vitters. Maybe a trade where...

The Rangers get Sean Gallagher
The Blue Jays get Elvis Andrus
The Cubs get AJ Burnett

But some of you would rather lose Vitters than Gallagher. I think its pretty much the team's preference. I'm sure the Rangers would trade the blocked Andrus for Gallagher, though. And the Jays would trade Burnett for Andrus. I think it could work.

BTW, I think the Cubs should DEFINATLEY trade Gallagher in a package for CC. This team hasn't won a world series in 100 years, I'd rather go all in for this year than build for the future. I'm not saying this will happen, but Gallagher could become the next Rich Hill. You never know. He could also become a great pitcher, but I think the Cubs should take that risk.

Also, maybe a 3 team trade between the A's, Braves, and Cubs where...

The Cubs get Rich Harden
The Braves get Sean Gallagher
The A's get Josh Vitters, Brent Lillibridge, and Jose Ceda

So the Cubs trade Gallagher, Vitters, and Ceda for Harden who makes them a World Series contender. The Braves improve their pitching with Gallagher and move a blocked prospect in Lillibridge. The A's fill their only 2 oranazational holes at 3B and SS while also adding a solid bullpen arm. It seems to work out for all teams, right.

I don't like Burnett--overrated, always hurt, crappy attitude, and expensive. Cubs should go for CC, and I think this is all they need to offer:

Marmol, Marshall and Colvin

Tribe is desperate for a good, long-term closer option, Marshall gives them a cheap, young SP with some upside as a #4 or #5, and Colvin still has some potential (though slipping rapidly). I honestly don't think the Indians will do better than this for a possible 2-month CC rental.

Cubs should be willing to move Marmol because a top #1/#2 starter is worth oodles more than an (admittedly very good) relief pitcher.

I know the 3 team trade probably won't happen, but it would be awesome if it did.

"I could see this though
Rich Hill
Tyler Colvin
Ronny Cedeno
and prolly another player"

Oh, lord, please tell me your kidding? Do you just throw names out there and see what fits? Rich Hill?? You are serious right? Where is Aduncaroo ( i.e. one of the ONLY smart cub fans out here) too put his fanbase in check.

Also, I'd rather have Harden, actually, even though his 9 straight starts made this year is a record for him.

First off you have to take into account this is Billy Beane we are talking about, so yeah Gallagher will have to be in it...just for starters. I'll put it to you this way, if you think Angelos and MacPhail were ridiculous in their Roberts demands this offseason, they arent anything compared to what Beane is going to ask for.

But first lets go over the names you mentioned;
Rich Hill...Do you have any idea what is going on with him?? I'll guess no because if you did you would know that Hill has NO VALUE NOW. If you think he does, there is no need to carry on the conversation, you are uninformed or dellusional.

Colvin; again, have you any idea how he is peforming this year? Again I'll assume no because if you did you would know that he too HAS NO VALUE. Tell me why anyone would want his .233 BA,.304 OBP and .670 OPS? You understand that is not good right?

Cedeno; solid but not spectacular by any means, still debatable on whether or not he is an everday starter. These guys add up to a bunch of "maybes" at best, and Hill IMO is dead as fried chicken, Beane will not take that. For starters he's gonna probably ask for Gallagher and then a combo of Ceda,Pie or Vitters. Im not saying its fair, but thats what he would ask for, take it to the bank.

forlife61,

I made a mistake. I forgot Colvin isn't to good this year but I have to say Hill could stii draw in intrest. He is still young and just having a offyear. Maybe a change of scenary could do the job because some young players fall under alot of pressure playing for a good baseball team and start doing bad. Just look at Marmol now even thought he is amazing Bob Brenly and Len Kasper where saying during the game yesterday if Marmol was thinking to much about making the all- star game and thats why he has been slumping. Or Cliff Lee sucked last year went to the minors and noe good. Also, Hill is expected to be #2 guy in a rotation sometime in his career and if A's are rebuilding I think they will take Hill or Marshall in their rotation.
I think they should do a deal like this.
Rich Hill
Jose Ceda
Matt Murton
Ronny Cedeno
for
Rich Harden

"I think they should do a deal like this.
Rich Hill
Jose Ceda
Matt Murton
Ronny Cedeno
for
Rich Harden"

Im not going to get into a drawn out debate about Hill, but i'll just say 1) hes not young, he will be 29 by the start of nextseason, hardly young 2) Hill is not a #2 and the A's ARE NOT rebuilding, you are aware they are in 2nd place right?

Again, you are not taking into account any of the A's needs, there is just no fit. The A's are dead last in the AL slugging %, 2nd to last in team BA and tied for last in HR's. That tells you they need bats, in particular POWER bats, HR hitters. Cedeno( backup IF) and Murton (5th OF) dont fit any need of the A's, none whatsoever, especially Murton as the A's have guys on the roster already younger and better than him.

Put this all into context by looking at the CC/Brewer talks; they are asking for LaPorta AND Escobar. The cubs dont have anything close to that in their farm system and that is what the Crew might have to give up for CC. So if you think this Hill, Cedeno, Murton is gonna get it done for Harden, you are greatly mistaken. And lets not forget CC is a 3 month rental, Harden is NOT, he has an option for 09 too.

Forlife61 and Cubs08,

The only mention of Rich Hill being offered in any type of deal (that I’ve seen atleast, and I’ve been looking since his progress is important to a failing fantasy team I have) comes in the form of the Hill/Murton for Crisp rumors that were tossed around a week or so ago. Outside of that, I have only seen him mentioned as possibly being shut down for the rest of the year to clear his head a bit (ala Greinke). Most have said that trading him now would be selling too low, and the team will most likely hold onto him until his value starts to rise once more.

ChiCubs,

FYI on Harden:
“Rich Harden had decreased velocity of four to five miles per hour in his start Tuesday night, saying he had "kind of a dead arm," according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Harden got a no decision, pitching five innings and allowing two earned runs against the Angels in the start.”

Not sure if its anything serious, but something to monitor...

"Gallagher
Veal
Tony Thomas
Cedeno
Ceda"

Ouch! That one would hurt, but I think I'd pull the trigger if it could bring us a WS.

this is what it might look like for a trade for Harden

Gallagher(or maybe a combinations of others like kevin hart, marshall, hill, pignatellio)

micah hoofpauir

eric patterson(which i wouldnt like to see go)

those and some other player like one of the pitchers said before, or matt murton, or fontenot, or even cedeno.

best case scenario for cubs would be marshall/hill+hart+Hoffapauir+Murton

WELCOME TO CHICAGO RICH HARDEN!!!