This is my first time writing on here so here goes nothing

The thing to keep in mind with this deal, as well as the Sabathia deal is that it does not have a large impact on the regular season.  We are talking about 2-3 wins max on either side of the deal.

As far as the Cubs acquiring Harden, when you consider that Donaldson's stats have died (Down over 150 points since going from Boise to Peoria) and that Soto is at least penciled in for a few years, there is no lock that he ever makes it up to the bigs.  Bottom line is he is a Billy Beane type of player.  He has an On-Base that is at least 75 points higher than his batting average at every level.  Beane loves guys who get on.  Thats what Donaldson is.

Matt Murton is a 6th outfielder on our team.  When you consider we were trying to dump him early and held on long enough to turn him into Harden, not too bad.

Eric Patterson does not have a future in Chicago.  He is not playing the corner outfields on this team unless someone is hurt and at 2nd base, you have DeRosa for the foreseeable future and then Cedeno and Fontenot there to play. 

Finally, Sean Gallagher has been fine but in terms of this year and next year, he has no spot in the starting rotation.  Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Marquis and Marshall was what we had after the break.  Now you replace Marshall or Marquis with Harden.  When you look at it, you now have 3 long men in the bullpen (Marshall or Marquis, Jon Liber, and Chad Gaudin)  Not to mention Kevin Hart if he comes back and possibly Jeff Samardza for a September call up.

This trade improves the team for this year and next year and that what you play for when you have a shot to win it now, you play for today, not for 5 years down the road when your prospects (ex. Felix Pie) are SUPPOSED to pan out.