The Chicago Cubs just got a Harden.

For those of you that read Cubs blogs but shut out all other sources of sports information because you believe I'm your only deserving and reliable source for Cubs coverage, I am pleased to inform you that the Cubs have received Oakland A's star starter Rich Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin for Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallagher and Single-A catcher Josh Donaldson.

Take that, Brewers.

If the race is about starting pitching, than the Cubs are definitely not behind the Brewers now, if they even were to begin with. Either way, acquiring Harden brings the Cubs from a contender to a team that wants to do anything it can to dominate the NL and win a World Series.

As much as some skeptics may want to doubt Harden's health because of his excessive amount of DL stints, the bottom line is the Cubs gave up no players that they needed for a player that can only make them better.

If Harden does go on the DL at all the rest of the season, the Cubs are not at a loss without Sean Gallagher. While giving up a promising young pitcher is tough, he does not give the Cubs an advantage this post-season. Also, with Gaudin now a decent arm in the bullpen to take his spot there and Marshall or Marquis to take the 5^th spot in the rotation (the one left out goes in if Harden should get hurt) the Cubs see only gain in this acquisition. Who cares about the long-term viability of the deal? The Cubs want to win the World Series now and they're covering all their weaknesses to get there.

What about giving up Murton and Patterson? The Cubs have been trying to get rid of Murton since last December. I even think Jim Hendry slipped him into the deal just to get rid of him. Murton is a right or left fielder with mediocre defense who hits for average. Given the Cubs normal players at the corners, they have zero use for him unless there's an injury. With DeRosa, Reed Johnson and Daryle Ward, that's not a problem. Cya Murton.

Eric Patterson, I'll admit, shows promise as a lefty who can get on base and run, but the Cubs have no need for that at second base, the only place where Patterson can field. With Fontenot and Cedeno, guys with big league experience, they don't need Patterson and they may not for awhile. In the future, they'll go after another Brian Roberts or they'll have to rely on what they already have which isn't horrible.

Then there's Josh Donaldson. I don't think the Cubs have issues with up and coming young catchers, do you?

I still think the Cubs roster changes are not over or should not be over. If the Cubs find Marshall is their man before the trading deadline, maybe somebody would be interested in picking up Jason Marquis' terrible contract in exchange for maybe a left-handed reliever and maybe another bat who can play anywhere in the outfield and give the Cubs an easier decision and not a shuffle-fest if a Soriano is out of the lineup.

Rejoice, Cubs fans. Hendry made a good move. Even if Harden goes on the DL, this team looks no different than it did in the beginning of the season and that team is still a contender.

In the meantime, I'm bitter that the trade overshadowed my fourth visit to Wrigley this season. All I'm going to say is wow to Ryan Dempster for overcoming not being himself on the mound and going 7 innings allowing a run on 2 hits. It was also good to see Mike Fontenot put up great numbers and even against a lefty. Also, props to Geovany Soto who is living up to the all-star selection so far in July.