[witchdoctor]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Oh Scuds.......

From Buster Olneys blog yesterday...
. On paper, the Cubs' rotation is deep and formidable. But as the season begins, they have to be very concerned about what Rich Harden will contribute. Pitching against the Yankees on Saturday, Harden's fastball was consistently clocked in the range of 85 to 89 mph -- touching 90 mph only a few times -- but you really didn't need the radar gun to tell you that he is not close to being the same pitcher who dominated in the first five months of last season.

When Harden was at his best last year, opposing hitters often looked as though they were swinging in the dark, overwhelmed by his fastball, confused by his changeup. But on Saturday, the Yankees' hitters were completely at ease at the plate against him, leaning into their swings, driving the ball. Mark Teixeira hit a home run in the third inning; then in the fifth, he got ahead 3-0 in the count and just sat on a fastball -- clocked on the radar at 86 mph -- and clubbed it into the second deck. Consider this: In Harden's first 13 starts in 2008, for Oakland, he allowed a total of five homers. On Saturday, he surrendered four against the Yankees, and he has allowed seven in his last 11 innings.


and




CUBS RELEASE GAUDIN (4:35 p.m. ET)
The Cubs have released right-hander Chad Gaudin

The reliever was acquired from Oakland in the trade that brought Rich Harden to Chicago in July.

The Cubs also optioned right-hander Jeff Samardzija to Triple-A Iowa on Sunday.

Gaudin went 9-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 50 outings with the Athletics and Cubs. He was 4-2 with a 6.26 ERA in 24 relief appearances for Chicago.

The 26-year-old has also pitched for Tampa Bay and Toronto. He has a 28-25 career record with a 4.45 ERA.


Guess that trade doesnt look so bad afterall does it? Harden cant even hit 90 on the radar gun and Gaudin couldnt even make the team. Think the Cubs will get any takers for Harden if they tried to trade him now?

Gauden probably could be the number 2 starter for the Astros this year.