The Knobler Blog

You're not supposed to be able to play for today AND tomorrow. It doesn't work that way.

You're supposed to have to pick. Go for it now, as the Brewers are doing. Pack it in and play for the future, a la the Indians.

But what about the A's? They just traded Rich Harden to the Cubs, but history (and the American League standings) tell us that they're not the Indians.

So does that mean they're nuts, dealing away a sometimes dominating pitcher (2.02 ERA over his last 10 starts) at a point where they're six games out in the American League West and 3 1/2 games back in the AL wild-card race?

No more so than when they dealt away Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder 3 1/2 years ago. No more so than when they traded away Dan Haren and Nick Swisher last winter.

At first glance, the A's take for Harden doesn't seem that great. Sean Gallagher, the guy they're calling the key to the deal, was ranked by Baseball America as the Cubs' fifth-best prospect entering the season. His numbers so far don't suggest that he's Harden.

But the A's were supposed to be taking a step down (at least for today) when they traded Haren last winter for a group that included Dana Eveland and Greg Smith (both already doing well in the Oakland rotation). They were supposed to be taking a step back when they traded Mulder for Haren back in December 2004.

They keep trading guys away (and perhaps Bobby Crosby will be next, once he gets healthy). They stay competitive.

They play for the future, as general manager Billy Beane says they're doing with today's deal. They do it without giving up on the present.

You're not supposed to be able to do it this way. But maybe the A's can.

They've done it before.

Pip4coach Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: May 22, 2008	Posted on: July 8, 2008 11:05 pm Score: 72 To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer This looks like an even deal to me - fair to both clubs. Harden is injury prone but possibly dominant if healthy. Gaudin is a nice swingman with a good arm - but at age 25 is now with his 4th club? That signifies he can be a pain in the ass to his managers. Gallagher has a good arm and great mental make-up. He will only get better and projects as a middle of the rotation starter. Murton fits Oakland as the righthanded side of a corner outfield platoon. E. Patterson gives the A's insurance at 2nd if Ellis doesn't return next year. And, Donaldson is a former #40 draft pick in 2007 at a premium position - catcher. Hendry and Beane pulled off a good deal for both sides. The Cubs took on the risk with possible great reward and the A's picked up a young starter with good stuff along with 2 other major league ready pieces along with a nice catcher prospect. Beane could have waited for a bigger return but he would have run the risk of Harden getting injured before the trading deadline. Hendry answers the Sabathia trade and shows Chicago that the Tribune is serious about doing whatever it takes to bring a World Series to the northside of Chicago. [ Reply to Comment ]
Hawkman77 Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: Nov 12, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2008 12:21 am Score: 77 To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer You could make a case that Harden will be the best pitcher in baseball in the 2nd half. He's got that level of talent. True. You could also make the argument Harden will make 3 starts and sit the rest of the season. He's sat for what, 300 days, in the last two 1/2 seasons? It's high risk, high reward. The Cubs didn't have confidence Gallagher could be the guy they were comfortable counting on in a playoff race. It remains to be seen if Harden will break his trend and be that guy - he hasn't been for years. Gallagher on the other hand is very talented. After watching him pitch last week I would have been comfortable if he'd been a trade piece for Erik Bedard. Maybe it's just me, but talented pitchers seem to find success in Oakland that they didn't find elsewhere. Probably because Beane seems to get them before they're fully developed, pays a bargain price in payroll and keeps a competitive team on the field with moves just like this one year after year. As a Mariners fan, I have the nauseating feeling this will turn out just fine for Oakland. Unless Harden completely turns his career trend around, Beane gave up almost nothing in this deal. [ Reply to Comment ]
Andre33 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Mar 25, 2008	Posted on: July 9, 2008 12:23 am Score: 18 To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer "Show me the ring?" Are you kidding me, radical Cubs fan?? The A's have hung 4 banners in my lifetime, on top of 2 or 3 other World Series appearances, several MVPs, playoff appearances in practically every season this past decade, all with a small market payroll. How many "rings" have your Cubs won in the last century?? crickets [ Reply to Comment ]
Hawkman77 Reputation: 79 Level: Pro Since: Nov 12, 2006	Posted on: July 9, 2008 12:28 am Score: 76 To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer If he can stay healthy, he will be another Mark Prior. If he can stay hea

Danny Knobler

To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer

To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer

To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer

To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer

To buy or to sell? A's always seem to have answer