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.
“We’ve been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
Harden, who will be eligible to become a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 earned-run average in 13 starts this season. He’s scheduled to $4.75 million this year.
The oft-injured Harden 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 today and that he’ll pitch either Friday or Saturday night at Wrigley Field against the San Francisco Giants.
“This gives up another weapon,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “He’ll fit in here really nice. Let’s keep him healthy and pitching and go from there.”
Hendry said the trade was not a reaction to the Sabathia trade by the Brewers, who are four games behind the National League Central-leading Cubs.
“Our mode all year is we’re trying to get better,” he said.
Chicago also received Gaudin, who is 5-3 win a 3.59 ERA in 26 games - including six starts. Last season, he was a starter all season and went 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA.
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.
They also traded right-hander Gallagher, who is 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 games, including 10 starts, in his second season.
Patterson, the brother of major league outfielder 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 home run and seven batted in in 38 at-bats with the big league club.
Donaldson, a catcher for Class 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 the trade should send a message to Cubs fans.
He said: “This shows the Cubs are going to do everything in their power to get where we want to go.”
