The week of July 6 began with a bang as the Milwaukee Brewers acquired C.C. Sabathia on Sunday, and the Cubs acquired Rich Harden a day later. The Cubs then took 2 of 3 from the visiting Reds and in doing so, increased their lead in the Central to 4 games over the Brewers and 4 ½ games over the Cardinals. Here are 3 important things in Triple Play:

1. Jim Hendry is going for it all this year.

The acquisition of Rich Harden from the A’s is a sign that it’s 2008 or bust. Harden, who has been on the disabled list 6 times in the last 6 seasons, is on the same plane as Milwaukee’s Ben Sheets when it comes to injuries. But when healthy, Harden is as good as anyone in the league. This season Harden is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA and an outstanding 10.75 strikeouts/9 innings. If he’s not on the DL, he has Cy Young stuff. That’s a big “if” that he carries along as baggage. But it is this type of high risk, high reward move that Hendry had to make if he wants his team to run the table in October. Were this a year like 2005 when making the playoffs was never really a legitimate possibility, Hendry would have hesitated to make such a move, especially with Billy Beane, who always seems to know something about his star pitchers that other GMs don’t.. This year it’s a “World Series or go home” attitude. The best part about this deal is Sean Gallagher was the only real loss for the Cubs. Matt Murton did not fit into the team’s plans as primarily a singles-hitting left fielder, and had requested a trade earlier in the year, Eric Patterson may develop into a solid infielder/outfielder in his career but was expendable, and Josh Donaldson didn’t figure to have much of a future with the Cubs as long as Geovany Soto is behind the plate. Chad Gaudin should figure in nicely in long relief or as a spot starter.

2. Kosuke Fukudome needs a break.

Over the 3 games with the Cincinnati Reds, Fukodume batted just .167, going 2/12 while leaving 8 runners on base. As of Friday, he has hit only .182 over the last 7 days with only 2 extra base hits, with 9 strikeouts and 3 walks. He has cooled off considerably since May after getting off to a scorching hot start. Although he will play in the All-Star game next Tuesday, he most likely won’t see more than three innings. A day off on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday will also help. Next Friday’s game is a 7:05 P.M. start time so Fukudome is essentially getting 4+ days of rest. This time off should help him recover and retool and come back strong in the second half.

3. Patience is a virtue for Aramis Ramirez.

In Thursday’s series finale Aramis drew his 44th and 45th base on balls of the season. That gives him 2 more walks through 92 games this season than he had during all of the 2007 season. His patient approach at the plate has paid enormous dividends as his OBP stands at .384, up from .366 last season. He has forced pitchers to throw strikes to him (career high 4.09 pitches/plate appearance) and this allows him to be selective during his at-bats.

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