PHOTO: One of the principals the A's acquired from Chicago on Wedensday

The A's traded Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin for minor leaguers Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, and Josh Donaldson. Patterson and Murton have been back and forth from AAA and the Cubs, while Gallagher and Donaldson have been putting in sub par seasons thus far in AAA. Despite giving up one of the games best young pitching talents and a solid long reliever/ spot starter, Billy Beane remains positive, "I don't necessarily think we've taken a step back. I think we've taken a step forward for the next three to five years," Beane said. "We were balancing that the club's playing well but also keeping in mind that we've had numerous injuries over the last week." (Si.com).

I however don't see any positive steps the A's have taken. With a one-two puch of Harden and Duchscherer the A's could have been a viable post-season threat. At the time of the trade the Duchscherer and Harden were second and third in the American League in ERA. Hopefully in shattering any chances for a play-off run the organization can bring home it's second straight PCL title.