Cubs make trade for Harden

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia.

The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

"We've been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He's scheduled to receive $4.75 million this season.

The oft-injured righty missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.

The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team today and that he'll pitch either Friday or Saturday night at Wrigley against the San Francisco Giants.

"This gives us another weapon," manager Lou Piniella said. "He'll fit in here really nice. Let's keep him healthy and pitching and go from there."

Hendry said the trade was not a reaction to the Sabathia trade by the Brewers, who were four games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs heading into Tuesday night.

"Our mode all year is we're trying to get better," he said.

Chicago also received Gaudin, who was 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 26 games — including six starts. Last season, he was a starter all season and went 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA.

To land the pair, the Cubs had to part with Murton, a former top prospect who has yet to live up to his billing. In his fourth season, Murton has shuttled between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago. He's hitting .250 in 40 at-bats.

They also traded the right-handed Gallagher, who is 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, in his second season.

Patterson, the brother of Corey Patterson, was sent to the minors on July 3, the fourth time this year he's been sent down. An outfielder who can also play second base, Patterson was hitting .237 with a homer and seven RBIs in 38 at-bats with the big league club.

Donaldson, a catcher for Class A Peoria, was hitting .217 with six homers.

"You're not getting a guy like this without it hurting a little bit," Hendry said.

Piniella said the trade should send a message to Cubs fans.

"This shows the Cubs are going to do everything in their power to get where we want to go."

FRANCOEUR REJOINS BRAVES: Jeff Francoeur rejoined the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, a little humbled but in no way contrite regarding the harsh things he said when he was sent to the minors.

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