Fantasy Round Trippers

Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson and Single-A Catcher Josh Anderson

Nate is the resident Cubs farm team expert, but this deal comes off as the Cubs ripped off the A’s.  When you consider Gallagher looks like a serviceable back-end starter, Murton was out of the plans in Chicago, and Patterson hasn’t done much in limited time, where’s the return value for a #1 starter?  If you’re in an AL-Only league, you lost an ace and a serviceable swingman and didn’t add any new starters to the AL pool for 2008 and maybe 2009.  When you consider the bounty that the A’s got for Dan Haren, you really see how the injury label can destroy a pitcher’s fantasy and real baseball stock.  Harden has relatively better numbers in 2008 vs. Dan Haren final 2007 stat line, but all those missed starts have scared away numerous fantasy owners and apparently, real life GMs. 

If you’re in an NL only league, bid a solid amount on Harden while factoring in his fragility. If you hear any talk about the Cubs wanting Harden to bring his splitter back, sell immediately.  The A’s spent 2 years rebuilding Harden mentally and physically and one of the keys to his 2008 physical stability has been the fact that Harden no longer throws his split.  As for Gaudin, watch to see if he gets a chance at the rotation due to injury or Marquis-esque implosions as he could spin off a string of great starts like he did in early 2007.

C.C. Sabathia for Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, and a player to be named. 

C.C. is ACE material after winning the AL Cy Young last year and righting the ship in early May this year to wash away those terrible April numbers.  You have to expect to pay $35+ to land C.C. in an NL only league and close to $30 in a mixed league.  AL Only owners are once again the losers here.  LaPorta is a tremendous prospect, but unless you’re in a dynasty league, he’s not worth picking up at this point.  The Indians have stop-gap options in the outfield for 2008 and 2009 and LaPorta should be given time to work on his batting skills as he is still a bit behind the curve when it comes to batting average.  The power is Major League ready, but he needs more work on batting fundamentals.  There are mixed reviews on Bryson’s potential down the road but again, he’s not an immediate add to your radar.  Zach Jackson is one of the better Brewers SP prospects for the past couple years but probably not worth a long look at this point.  Watch both guys in the coming years Spring Trainings and reevaluate then.