Cubs done dealing? Not likely

On Monday the Cubs' season was over, the World Series far from hand, the nightmare advancing into the long night.

And by Tuesday the Cubs had won the pennant, all was well in Cubsville, sleeping tight with title in hand.

Such is the hysterical nature of Chicago sports these days.

The reality is the Cubs lost nothing Monday, with Milwaukee still short of competing with the Cubs, barring a catastrophic run of injuries on the North Side.

And the real- ity Tuesday was the Cubs acquired one of the best starting pitchers in baseball - only if he can stay on the mound.

For us to think now that Rich Harden will be healthy for the rest of the season and throughout the postseason is delusional.

There's also the knowledge that Oakland GM Billy Beane doesn't often lose trades. He has an annoying habit of timing the market perfectly, dumping pitchers about to get hurt or ready to go in the tank, and maximizing return.

For Beane to move Harden now, so long before the deadline when he hasn't created a bidding war and when Harden's signed through 2009, suggests concern Harden would break down before Beane could get value.

Still, Beane got surprisingly little for a pitcher of this quality, which also is a red flag.

However, Cubs GM Jim Hendry is no fool. He understood the injury history when he made his pitch to Beane and why he gave up only unproven Sean Gallagher - and players the Cubs don't need - in return.

There's no risk and a potentially huge reward of a superb starting pitcher. In fact, you can argue that there isn't but one or two hurlers in all of baseball with as much talent as Harden.

He's not a No. 2 starter in any sense. He's an ace, period, and if Harden doesn't make it through the season, all Hendry has lost is a bit of salary.

This was not a response to the Brewers getting CC Sabathia, as Hendry is not in the business of making statements to the fans or placating media.

Hendry is thinking now about what he might do before July 31 to provide insurance for any number of calamities.

What happens if Carlos Zambrano goes down again? Will Ryan Dempster return to Earth? Can he find a better option than Jason Marquis?

What if Kerry Wood falls apart, or Carlos Marmol can't find the plate? What if Geovany Soto gets run over, or one of the middle infielders breaks a finger?

This is what keeps Hendry up at night, not moves made by the Brewers or the Cardinals. And it's why he's probably not done searching for deals that give the Cubs a better shot at the World Series.

Not done by a longshot.

Opening remarks

During the opening series in Cleveland, this was White Sox GM Kenny Williams talking about Alexei Ramirez:

"The young man has exceptional baseball skills, though at times he's going to look quite raw because he's still learning the game.

"But we believe he has a chance to be a special player. It's going to take time, but we think he can do great things for the White Sox.''

Pretty good call on Williams' part, even as Ramirez looked awful the first couple of days in center field and at the plate against a couple of potential Cy Young Award winners.

But the infield is where he belongs, and shortstop is his eventual destination.

In any case, Ramirez doesn't look like he's going to be special. In many ways, he already is.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

We've been receiving e-mail criticism of Blackhawks boss John McDonough over the past few days, but much of it is unfair.

McDonough wasn't hired to score goals or win games. He was brought in to sell tickets, sell tickets, and, when he's not busy selling tickets, sell more tickets.

And what's happening?

They have the fans and media trumpeting the Hawks' imaginary Stanley Cup victory of last month and the team can't print tickets fast enough.

Sure, anyone would have made some of the obvious marketing moves of the past seven months, but McDonough also has to build from scratch a business operation worthy of the 21st century and, when given time to breathe, update the antiquated hockey operations.

Although, if what the Hawks and their legion of supporters say is true about their free- agent signings and player development, there is no reason - none - they should be less than a Western Conference finalist next season.

Old home week

How much do the White Sox still love Aaron Rowand and feel him a part of their family?

With every message they send out promoting Jermaine Dye for the online all-star vote that ends today (mlb.com), they also remind everyone Rowand is vying for a spot on the NL team.

Now that's loyalty.

QB roulette

E-mailer Elk Grove Pat: "If the Bears aren't readying themselves for a hard look at the Rush's Russ Michna, they are crazy. He has NFL size, a strong arm, and the guts and intelligence to boot. He's also proven to be a natural leader and is a Chicago-area kid. What do they have to lose?''

Art Vandelay-ing

Foxsports.com's Mark Kriegel: "George Costanza didn't strike out as much as Ryan Howard."

Best headline

Sportspickle. com: "Feds suspicious after $2 bet on WNBA game.''

And finally -

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel: "I'm sure you saw where the Supreme Court just affirmed that Americans have a right to carry guns. This was a major victory for the NRA, the nation's hunters and SEC football recruits."

brozner@hotmail.com