Philly Wins Race For Brand?
9. July 2008 by gchacko.
A number of NBA front office sources have revealed that the 76ers have won the Elton Brand sweepstakes, according to ESPN.com.
Brand has reportedly informed the Sixers that he will accept a five-year deal worth an estimated $82 million, spurning what was presumed to be a slam-dunk return to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Philadelphia reportedly agreed to a deal that would send Rodney Carney and a future first round pick to the Timberwolves in a trade designed to free more cap space, earlier on Tuesday.
Cubs trade four players to A’s for pitchers Harden, Gaudin
9. July 2008 by gchacko.
ESPN - The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee
Brewers landed CC Sabathia.
“He’s got really good stuff,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He knows how to win. A welcome addition.”
The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.
“It gives us another weapon, and he’ll fit in here really, really nice,” Piniella said of Harden.
Harden, scheduled to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to $4.75 million this season.
The oft-injured righty missed a month earlier this season because of a right shoulder strain. It was his sixth trip to the disabled list in his six-year career.
The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team Wednesday.
The Cubs pay three games against the Cincinnati Reds starting Tuesday night before hosting the San Francisco Giants.
“He’ll pitch in the San Francisco series,” Piniella said.
Gaudin
Hendry said the trade was not a reaction to the Sabathia trade by the Brewers, who were four games behind the NL Central-leading Cubs heading into Tuesday night.
To land the pair, the Cubs had to part with Murton, a former top prospect who has yet to live up to his billing. In his fourth season, Murton has shuttled between Triple-A Iowa and Chicago. He’s hitting .250 in 40 at-bats.”Hopefully he’ll go swing the bat for them,” Piniella said.
They also traded the right-handed Gallagher, who is 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, in his second season.
“I thought he came up here and pitched very well for us and I think he’s going to pitch better,” Piniella said.
Patterson, the brother of Corey Patterson, was sent to the minors on July 3, the fourth time this year he’s been sent down. An outfielder who can also play second base, Patterson was hitting .237 with a homer and seven RBIs in 38 at-bats with the big league club.
Donaldson, a catcher for Single A Peoria, was hitting .217 with six homers.
“You’re not getting a guy like this without it hurting a little bit,” Hendry said.
Piniella said that Hendry had told him recently that the Cubs likely didn’t have the pieces to get Sabathia but that the club had other irons in the fire. He found out about the Harden deal when he arrived at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.
“There are some good teams in this division.” Piniella said. “I like our team and I like it even more now.”
Piniella said the trade should send a message to Cubs fans.
“This shows the Cubs are going to do everything in their power to get where we want to go.”
