Cubs bolster staff, obtain A's Harden

Rich Harden has had injury problems, but provides the Cubs a 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation with Carlos Zambrano. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)

CHICAGO - One day after the Milwaukee Brewers landed an ace, the Chicago Cubs answered.

Intent on ending their 100-year drought without a World Series title, the NL Central leaders acquired talented righthander Rich Harden in a six-player deal with the Oakland Athletics last night.

With CC Sabathia going to Milwaukee, Harden was the best available pitcher, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.

"We felt that the two high-end guys who would possibly be available were the two that have already been traded. Those are legit 1 and 2 starters. So we tried to focus on trying to acquire one. It certainly wasn't a reaction move," said Hendry.

The Cubs began play last night 3 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals and 4 in front of the Brewers in the NL Central. The Cubs can now match Milwaukee's 1-2 combination of Sabathia and Ben Sheets with All-Star Carlos Zambrano and Harden.

Athletics general manager Billy Beane said trading Harden doesn't mean his team is in selling mode.

"I don't necessarily think we've taken a step back. I think we've taken a step forward for the next three to five years," Beane said.

Chicago also got righthander Chad Gaudin, who pitched previously for Cubs manager Lou Piniella in Tampa Bay, and sent promising righthander Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor league catcher Josh Donaldson to the A's.

The oft-injured Harden missed a month this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career. Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season and he's scheduled to make $4.75 million.

Harden is expected to join the club today and start Friday or Saturday against the San Francisco Giants.