Thus, that ensures Chicago, 3.5 games ahead of St. Louis and four ahead of Milwaukee before Tuesday’s action, keeps the best record in the NL and gets the home-field advantage at the much Friendlier Confines, where fans have replaced their edginess over not winning in a century with giddiness over a team that, for once, appears to be really, really good, with none of the stupidity and bad luck that ruined other chances for a title. (At least, not so far.)

However, the success of the deal, which sent starting pitcher Sean Gallagher, out-of-favor outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson and a minor-leaguer to Oakland, doesn’t hinge completely on Harden.

Gaudin gives the Cubs’ pitching core even more depth than it already had. Gaudin was a starter for Oakland last season and has started six games this season, meaning he can step in if Harden gets hurt. That’s a very possible scenario, given how Harden complained of a dead arm after a July 3 start against the Angels, and tied his season high with four walks, and set a season low with four strikeouts, in a five-inning stint in his last start, a July 6 loss to the White Sox.

Gaudin also could step in if Jason Marquis collapses, again, and gets left off a postseason roster for the third straight year despite being in the rotation all season.

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Gaudin, a right-hander, more immediately provides the Cubs more strength in middle relief. He could step in at home for Bobby Howry, whose ERA is much higher at Wrigley (5.82) than on the road (2.91). Or Gaudin could fill in for Carlos Marmol if he struggles again as Kerry Wood’s setup man, though he appears to be getting back into form after a recent rough stretch.

If nothing else, even if Harden doesn’t fulfill the potential he’s shown in the rare, non-injured points in his career, Hendry’s move sends another message — on top of the $300 million in contracts lavished on the likes of Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano over the last year or so — that the Cubs are serious about breaking their 100-year title drought. That’s especially necessary as Milwaukee, with its deal for Sabathia, tries to send a message to its fans and players that the Brewers are serious about breaking their franchise-long drought.

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