Consider this: Who's trade was "better"?

by Musicdude10 on Jul 8, 2008 7:42 PM CDT

As soon as I got a call from my buddy saying that CC (note, no periods) Sabathia was traded to the Brewers, I started thinking about how the Cubs were going to respond. And now that they have, the thought of who got the better deal came to my mind. Here are some things to consider before you respond

To me and many others, Sabathia was the best player on the market this summer and is arguably the (potentially) biggest name in the free agent market next winter (can the Brewers afford to re-sign him in addition to Prince Fielder?).

However, that doesn't mean that Harden is a bad pick up or a consolation prize. Harden IS a legitimate ace. And in addition to Harden, the Cubs picked up Chad Gaudin (which you know), while the Brewers only got Sabathia. Gaudin is a potential competitor for a starter's role next year in spring training (I'm waiting for Marquis to be traded. And if I was Hendry I'd take the first offer that came my way. Even Jacque Jones. Ok maybe not Jacque Jones. You get the idea). He's young and had major league experience and may be a better option than say Sean Marshall given that he has proven success and consistancy in a major league rotation.

The Brewers gave up a ton of their farm system to get Sabathia, who might only be on their roster for a few months. They are also not in first place in the NL Central and don't have a playoff spot secured by any means. It seems like they are giving a lot for a team that isn't in position to win the world series. On paper, the Cubs (even without Harden) seem better than the Brewers. The Cubs on the other hand did give up some players who will make a major league roster if not this year then in 2-3. Matt Murton is a player who many believe just needs a chance to break out, Eric Patterson showed us just what he can do with his bat during the Cubs/Sox series at Wrigley (and what he can't do with his glove at the Cell). Patterson, as you probably know, was in the Futures game last year and has a ton of upside, despite not really having a true defensive position. Sean Gallagher you all should know about. And then there's Josh Donaldson, who I will admit hadn't heard much about prior to reading a few reports. He seems to be a major league catcher of the future but was probably a throw in given that he is only in A ball.

One other thing to consider: Harden is signed through next year.

So what do you think? Who got the better end of the deal?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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No arguments

I guess just a big ol’ “+1” to what you have to say.
I’ve yet to see Gaudin. I really liked Gallagher. But Murton was a perennial AAA.5 player, Patterson was irksome and I never saw the catcher kid.
So let’s hope we got the long end of the stick.

by chilango2 on Jul 8, 2008 8:10 PM CDT reply actions

know your minor league system

if you’re saying something like “and I never saw the catcher kid.” (among other things in your “analysis”) i would suggest you learn more about your minor league farm system.

by ecbc on Jul 9, 2008 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions

TBD...

as far as I’m concerned.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Jul 8, 2008 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

plus one to the cubbies!!

I think we got the better deal. The brewers gave up alot for maybe just 3 months. just think sheets and CC out of brewer uniform next year and the brewers gave up potential league guys. I would much rather have seen Pie go instead of Patterson but i think we still got the better deal. anyone now on Gaudins contract?

by bizzle4 on Jul 8, 2008 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

Are you in my brain?

I feel exactly the same way

Cubby occurances happen every day to all of us...

by lostinthevines on Jul 8, 2008 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions

if you haven't done it, don't forget to include the draft picks

the brewers will get.

by ecbc on Jul 9, 2008 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs gave up less

but if Harden goes down, which is very probably, they’ll have nothing to show for it. I was more excited about this trade before I heard that Harden complained of a “dead arm” in his last start or two.

Sabathia and Harden are comparable talents when healthy, but Sabathia is a near-lock to stay healthy, wheras Harden is a near-lock to go on the DL this summer.

So though the Brewers gave up a bigger talent to get their pitcher, I’d feel much better if we had gotten Sabathia than Harden.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Jul 8, 2008 8:54 PM CDT reply actions

what???

nothing to show for it?? we gave up near nothing. murton,donaldson, and epat were near nothing besides would have never played on a regular basis anyway. gallagher was the real prize and was nothing more than a high upside maybe. this isnt next year cubs anymore—-were a legitamate contender. i know thats hard for some to grasp but were now in a win now mode.

Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 8, 2008 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I like Gallagher and think he has a nice future as a #2-4 starter in the AL, but the Brew Crew gave up much more in LaPorta. The key will be health. Harden’s DL trips are well documented and Sabathia’s health has never really been a concern. Keep in mind though that CC pitched 260 innings last season if you include the postseason whereas he hadn’t topped 200 innings in the previous 4 seasons. In addition to that he’s already over 128 innings this season (including tonight). That’s a mighty big workload for anyone, workhorse or not.

"Baseball is like Church. Many Attend; Few Understand." - Leo Durocher

by JD McCubbie on Jul 8, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

I agree that it’s hard to say – right now – who made the better deal. I will say that, because the Cubs are (overall) a better team to begin with than the Brewers, if Harden stays healthy, the Cubs will come out way ahead.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by daver on Jul 9, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions

The trade doesnt happen if Harden was hurt

Consider this:

They didnt give up Pie, or Tyler Colvin, or Josh Vitters or Jeff Samadzjila(which i think i spelled correctly haha) or Marshall which IMO has better upside then Gallagher did/does.

Also the Addition of Gaudin is big too. If im not mistaken he did start the year 7-0 Last season.

"I guess you had some lean years, and didnt have to beat it hard" - Craig Sager

SORIANO WATCH: AVG: .283 15 HR 40 RBI

by Galvan316 on Jul 8, 2008 10:56 PM CDT reply actions

Gallagher

was a bigger prospect than all of those names, except Pie and Vitters. And waaay more upside than Marshall. You coulda said more major-league readyness and gotten a “meh”, but def. no way on more upside.

by ecbc on Jul 9, 2008 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions