CUBS RETURN SERVE AND LAND RICH HARDEN

The Cubs saw the Brewers bid for C.C. Sabathia and raised by landing the A's Rich Harden and reliever Chad Gaudin for a basket of spare parts.

The next move should be by the Cardinals. We'll see if they fold or decide they are still in the game.

Apparently the NL Central Division is where the action is, three teams with a realistic chance to win the division. Given that description, you would expect a flurry of moves by the teams in the AL East (Rays, Sox, Yanks) leading up to and coming out of the All-Star break.

We're starting to see teams identify themselves as buyers or sellers and acting accordingly. A bit surprising to see some of the moves this early given the Rockies late push into the playoffs and World Series last year.