asked for a fair amount initially to find out what he might be able to get in return for Harden. But, in the end this was clearly the best he could do. Harden is arguably the best pitcher in the game when he’s healthy; his physical tools are amazing. That’s not a secret. However, he hadn’t put together a consecutive string of this many starts in roughly two years, maybe more. Look, I love the guy – however, this was a rare chance for Beane to get some kind of moderate value in return, and he did.

You can’t judge the incoming players solely on ML statistics, when you consider sample size and how they were utilized in Chicago. For some reason I can’t hyperlink it, but Travis Nelson at bleacherreport.com has some nice insight on what we received in return.

I’ll miss Rich as much as anyone else, and understand the A’s didn’t receive a big return for a marquee talent. I agree that we probably should have gotten more, but it’s a hell of a lot better than sitting around in frustration waiting for his return when he’s hurt. If by some miracle he remains healthy for an extended period of time, the Cubs win this trade. I have no doubts about that. That’s a huge if, though, and I urge you to have patience in the matter. The phrase you just used, ‘when healthy’ – is the biggest tease because he never is.

Your assertion that the Cubs aren’t really that good is way off base. They have the best run differential by far in the NL, at +105 – they’ve scored the most runs allowed in the league and have allowed the 4th fewest. They are first in team BA, runs scored, OBP, OPS, and SLG. The Cubs are 5th in ERA, 2nd in BAA, and 4th in WHIP. I’d say they’re very good. You sound more bitter than rational to me.

Better than anyone the A’s have. Let’s go get him from the Mets.

Also, yes the Cardinals are definitely a better team than the Cubs. It’s just luck and random variation that their top 3 starters are injured.

Only a #3 starter? Are you just saying this because you read some columnist’s article that says that is what his ceiling is? What do these people know about baseball? And have any of them looked through his minor league stats? People said Haren’s ceiling was as a #3 starter. He turned into an awesome #2 starter.

Gaudin doesn’t fit with our future plans. He’s not really that great a starter and would be left out next year as well in the bullpen as well as the rotation with our young guys coming up. The rest of the league knew this and that’s why he didn’t command more. Hardly anyone except for the Cubs would touch Harden with his injury history. I think this was a fine trade given the market for Harden was small. And why is everyone on the Harden bandwagon now? He hasn’t gotten past 70 IP in the past 2 seasons and people were calling for his trading all of last season! He’s a ticking time bomb at this point.

I think the A’s scouting staff has earned the benefit of the doubt in scouting pitching talent. We’ve had some great young arms come through here via trade or via the draft that have “overachieved”. Gallagher is just another one of those kids who will do well here. He already has a better WHIP than Gaudin, and he’s only 22.

How many times has he gotten value out of players that LOOK bad? A lot of players LOOK bad when you’re going on traditional statistics. Dana and Greg are two really good examples of what Billy Beane can do.

The fact that the A’s are even REMOTELY close to the Angels this year shows how good of a GM Beane is. The A’s SHOULD be on their way to a 100 loss season but they are actually in contention.