A Smattering of Intelligence--Harden, Batting Coaches, and The Tribe

With nary a significant trade throughout the first half of the season, the Brewers and Cubs proved that Santa Claus does exist by pulling off near blockbusters on back-to-back days. Reacting quickly to Milwaukee's acquisition of CC Sabathia, Chicago netted Rich Harden as part of a six-player swap with the A's. Most of the Internet reaction I've read has expressed surprise that Billy Beane didn't acquire more for his talented right-hander. I disagree. Given Harden's horrible history with injuries, I think Beane brought back decent value. Matt Murton gives the A's a legitimate corner outfielder with power, Sean Gallagher has the potential to be a good No. 3 starter, and Eric Patterson has enough talent to fill a role as a part-time or platoon player.

I love Harden's talent, but the condition of his arm makes it difficult to build a stable front end to the rotation. He's already visited the disabled list six times in his career; I'd be shocked if he makes it through the second half without being DLed at least once. Realistically, the Cubs are gambling that he'll be healthy for the postseason. They can win the NL Central without him, but they'd like their postseason hopes a lot better if they know then can use Harden in Game Two, right after ace Carlos Zambrano. It's probably a reasonable gamble for the Cubs, who were smart to acquire a buffer like Chad Gaudin as a hedge against the fragile Harden hitting the DL again...

The Dodgers are running through hitting instructors the way that George Steinbrenner used to plow through pitching coaches. The announcement of Don Mattingly's imminent return will give the Dodgers their fourth batting coach in the last season and a half. LA started 2007 with Hall of Famer Eddie Murray, who was fired in mid-season and gave way to Bill Mueller. When Joe Torre was named manager, he announced that Mattingly would join him as hitting coach, but personal problems derailed "The Hit Man's" plans. The Dodger then hired Mike Easler (also nicknamed The Hit Man), who is now being reassigned to make room for Mattingly. Perhaps Mattingly can fix what ails the Dodgers most--a subpar offense that doesn't walk enough or hit with sufficient power...

After coming within a game of the World Series, the Indians have become baseball's biggest underachievers in 2008. They just lost their 10th consecutive game, which puts them perilously close to rock bottom. So what exactly has happened to the Indians, my preseaon pick to win the AL Central? Well, just about everything. They have endured a massive and continuing wave of injuries, which currently has Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner, Josh Barfield, Fausto Carmona, and Jake Westbrook on the disabled list. There has also been plenty of underperformance, with Hafner, Ryan Garko, Jhonny Peralta, Andy Marte, and Joe Borowski among the many culprits. With the team hopelessly out of contention, GM Mark Shapiro has already begun the purge, waiving Jason Michaels, trading Sabathia, and designating Borowski for assignment. The exodus only figures to grow, with third baseman Casey Blake, veteran outfielder David Dellucci, and soft-tossing righty Paul Byrd expected to hit the trade market before the end of the month.

And who says that baseball isn't the most unpredictable of the four major sports?