Harden Traded for Prospects
In trading Rich Harden, the A's continue to load up on prospects
Josh Donaldson, one of the top catching prospects in baseball, is headed for Oakland as a part of the four player package that put Rich Harden in Cubs blue.
Less than two days after the Brewers sold the farm to land ace CC Sabathia, the rival Cubs have responded by sending off four of their own young guns for flame-thrower Rich Harden. Who are the prospects and how do they fit into a deep Athletics system?
The Chicago Cubs did not delay in matching the Brewers' acquisition of CC Sabathia. The Cubs traded for top righthander Rich Harden, who's moving to Chicago along with fellow pitcher Chad Gaudin. The pitchers were obtained at the cost of pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, utility bat Eric Patterson, and catcher Josh Donaldson.
Murton's graduated from his prospect status, but he's still a young and high-ceiling outfielder whose patient batting approach and nascent power fit well into the Athletics' philosophy. The other three players sent to Oakland are all currently-ranked prospects here at Scouting Book.
Sean Gallagher, who should step into Harden's rotation spot immediately, has been up and down during this his debut MLB season. In 10 starts for the Cubs, he's 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA, but his minor league track record suggests far greater things ahead.
Eric Patterson (yes, Corey's brother) was moved from second base to the outfield by the Cubs this year. Moved between the Cubs and minors four times already this year, Patterson has hit .237 with a homer and seven RBIs in a small-sample 38 at-bats. It's unclear where the A's see him fitting in, but his combination of tools and hard work should provide the team with, at worst, a very solid bench player for the future. Since the A's have enough depth to let Patterson cook a bit longer, he may have an extended, and productive, stay in the minors this time.
Catcher Josh Donaldson is the least-known but perhaps the most interesting player in the trade. A strong-armed third baseman converted to catcher in his Junior year, Donaldson has line-drive power with the ability to turn on inside pitches thanks to his quick hands and smooth stroke. A plus arm behind the plate, Donaldson still has some learning to do when it comes to game calling and pitcher handling, but he's already shown a good glove and blocking skills. If he can master the mental game and stick at catcher, he could be the biggest prize in this trade. He's been scuffling in the minors this year so far (.217 with six home runs), but it's an aberration. He ranked behind only Matt Wieters in terms of best-hitting catchers from last year's amateur draft.
By moving Harden at midseason, Billy Beane has once again sold one of his most talented players at the peak of his performance, while loaded up on cheap talent with high upside. Oakland is so good at talent evaluation that it's probably not unreasonable to notice their interest in these four players and consider the possibility that they've all be underrated until now.
While he's definitely earned the benefit of the doubt, we'll have to check back next year to confirm that Beane's genius remains undimmed.
