Chicago has responded to Milwuakee's acquisition of C.C. Sabathia by trading for Oakland ace Rich Harden in a six player deal.  The Cubs get Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer John Donaldson.

Sitting four games ahead of the Brewers and 3.5 ahead of the Cardinals entering Wednesday, the Cubs made this bold move that will greatly improve the team provided the oft-injured righty stays healthy.  Harden is one of the best talents in baseball, but has yet to prove it consistenly on the field

We have our first big trade of the draft season.  The Pacers will send talented but oft-injured big man Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17^th pick in the draft.  Another veteran will be thrown in by Toronto to make the deal work (likely Maceo Baston).  The trade can’t be consummated until July 9 because of the NBA’s complicated salary cap rules so it is possible something could happen or the deal could expand, but that doesn