Post by Ian on Jul 7, 2008 11:55:22 GMT -5
Source: cleveland.indians.mlb.com
MILWAUKEE -- All of the T's have been crossed and the C's have been dotted.
C.C. Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner and arguably the best pitcher available on the midseason trade market, became a Brewer on Monday when the teams formally agreed to a swap that sent four prospects to Cleveland.
Assuming he had no travel delays, the Brewers expected to make Sabathia available to local reporters at 6 p.m. CT.
To bolster their starting rotation for a playoff run, the Brewers were forced to part with top prospect Matt LaPorta, an outfielder, plus Triple-A left-hander Zach Jackson, Class A right-hander Rob Bryson and a player to be named later. According to some reports, that player will be 2007 Brewers Minor League Player of the Year Taylor Green, a third baseman.
Sabathia is a left-hander and will join right-hander Ben Sheets atop Milwaukee's rotation in a bid to end the franchise's 26-year postseason drought. That the Brewers have not played a postseason game since 1982 surely figured into Brewers general manager Doug Melvin's decision to part with LaPorta, who has 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 84 games for Double-A Huntsville and was the Brewers' first-round Draft pick last year.
"C.C. is one of the top pitchers in the game today," Melvin said. "His addition to the starting rotation will be a major key in helping the team reach its ultimate goal of going to the postseason and beyond."
Like Sheets, Sabathia will be a free agent at year's end and there is a strong chance he will prove a three-month rental for the Brewers. The Indians reportedly offered him a four-year extension worth $72 million earlier this year, but Sabathia rejected it.
Should Sabathia sign elsewhere in free agency, the Brewers would net two extra first-round Draft picks. Likewise should Sheets move on.
Sabathia's record this season is undistinguished at 6-8, but his secondary numbers are again strong. He has struck out 123 batters versus 52 walks and already has worked 122 1/3 innings.
Last year, he went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA to win AL Cy Young honors. Sabathia turns 28 on July 21.
LaPorta, 23, was just named the Brewers' Minor League Player of the Month for June. He hit .381 (40-for-105) for the month with two homers and 24 RBIs in 26 games and was named to the prestigious All-Star Futures Game. He will play first base for the U.S. team and also could be picked for the Olympic Summer Games.
CC Sabathia For 4 Prospects
I think that this was the blockbuster Trade of the year. The Reigning Cy Young Award winner was traded to the Brewers! I do not know how the Indians gave him up for a load of prospects! One more thing is, The Brewers are a NL team! How is CC going to bat?
