Revisiting the Cubs-Athletics Trade for Josh Donaldson

Before Josh Donaldson became one of the MLB's most feared sluggers, he was bouncing around the farm systems of both the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics.

Prior to the 2008 trade deadline, the NL Central-leading Cubs struck a six-player deal with the A's that they believed would bolster the team's chances at ending its 100-year drought without a World Series title.

At the time, it seemed like Chicago fleeced Oakland. But did the trade turn out to be a lopsided win for the Cubs?

Josh Donaldson, who hit the grand slam and is batting .330 was the Cubs #1 pick in 2007. Went to Oakland in the Rich Harden trade.
— Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) June 8, 2013

Cubs-Athletics Josh Donaldson Trade Details

Cubs Received: Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin

Athletics Received: Josh Donaldson, Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher, and Eric Patterson

Gallagher was widely regarded as the pivotal piece in this trade. However, his pro career was short-lived and largely forgettable. The right-handed reliever spent two seasons in Oakland and logged a woeful 6.34 ERA in 71 innings.

The fact that the Cubs were able to unload Patterson and Murton in here is befuddling. Neither player appeared in more than 40 games in any season with the A's.

Thank heavens for Donaldson, right? The Bringer of Rain wasn't the perennial All-Star he is today, but Oakland landing him proved to be a steal. Donaldson's tenure with the A's didn't last long, but he played a significant role in the team's three-year run at the playoffs from 2012-2014.

Boston Globe: Cubs acquire pitcher Rich Harden from Athletics http://tinyurl.com/66wdoh
— Boston.com Red Sox News (@BDCSox) July 9, 2008

As for the Cubs, well, Harden's time in the North Side wasn't ideal. In less than two seasons with Chicago, the right-hander finished 14-10 with a 3.31 ERA and 260 strikeouts across 38 starts.

Gaudin, meanwhile, logged a 6.26 ERA in his lone season with the team.

Who won the Cubs-Athletics Josh Donaldson Trade?

We have to give this W to the Athletics, not so much because they "won" the deal, but because the Cubs made a massive miscalculation by giving up on Donaldson, their former first-round pick. They don't even have anything to show for it, either. Chicago was swept in the NLDS in 2008. Who knows what the future would have held for the Cubbies if they didn't trade Donaldson?