The Chicago Cubs have traded pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielder Matt Murton, outfielder Eric Patterson and minor league catching prospect Josh Donaldson to the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin.

Gallagher, 22, is 3-4 on the season with a 4.45 ERA in 58.2 innings pitched. He was ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Cubs organization by Baseball America prior to the 2008 season.

Murton, 26, has been stuck in a crammed Cubs outfielder for the past two seasons. He did start nearly a full seasons worth of games in 2006, recording a .297 average with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs in 455 at-bats. Over the past year and half however, he has had to settle for just 275 at-bats.

Patterson, 25, played almost his entire career as a second baseman and has moved the outfield due to lack of potential opportunity in Chicago at 2nd base. He is also the younger brother of Reds outfielder Corey Patterson.

Donaldson, 22, was selected 48th overall by the Chicago Cubs in the 2007 MLB Draft. He is currently playing for the Class-A Chiefs, hitting .217 with 6 HRs, 23 RBIs and 7 stolen bases so far this year.

Harden, 26, has been injury plagued for almost entire career, recording over 19 starts just once in his six-year career. He is currently 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA with 92 strikeouts in 13 starts this year for the A’s.

Gaudin, 25, began the 2008 campaign as a starter, making six starts before being sent to the bullpen. He is 5-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 62.2 innings pitched.

The Knox News writes that one Met offical said that Rich Harden rumors may have been mixed up with Dan Haren also of the Oakland A's

Hat tip to Reyes1212 for the great find.

Thanks to Matt @ Metsblog for the report.

Appearing on ESPN Radio in New York, ESPN’s Steve Phillips believes the Mets offered Lastings Milledge straight up for Rich Harden, and were countered with an offer for Joe Blanton for Milledge instead, which the Mets declined.

Interesting. The only ptchers on the A's staff i'd trade Milledge for are Harden and Haren. Blanton though, Im not to crazy about giving Milledge up in return. If this is true, Im glad the Mets declined Blanton for Milledge but hopefully they could work something out for Harden because he would be a great additon to the Mets rotaion.