CHICAGO -- 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.
Other players might have more strikeouts, but new Cubs pitcher Rich Harden has the most strikeouts per nine innings this season (minimum 10 games).
"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 make $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.
"We've been working on Mr. Harden for a few weeks now," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
The Cubs said they expected Harden would join the team Wednesday.
The Cubs play 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.
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.
"Our mode all year is we're trying to get better," he said.
But Piniella liked how it all came together.
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