Ken Rosenthal of FOX SPORTS.com reported just days ago that the Milwaukee Brewers were interested in making a move for Indians’ ace C.C. Sabathia. According to FOX SPORTS.com, the deal is now official.
The Indians have agreed to trade the ace Sabathia and two lower-level minor leaguers for a package that includes top prospect Matt LaPorta and other minor leaguers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The deal is contingent on the paperwork and medical records, the paper reported.
The Indians badly need power. Center fielder Grady Sizemore leads the AL with 22 home runs, but designated hitter Travis Hafner hit only four before going on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain on May 30 and catcher Victor Martinez had zero before going on the DL June 12 with a right-elbow injury.
LaPorta has 20 home runs and 66 RBIs for Class AA Huntsville.
Sabathia rejected a $72 million, four-year extension from the Indians during spring training and announced he wouldn’t negotiate any deal until after the season.
This was a great deal for the Tribe as LaPorta is highly regarded as one of the best hitters in the minor leagues. Plus, Sabathia was as good as gone as a free agent at the end of the year, so to land a prospect like LaPorta was huge.
As for the Brewers, if Sabathia can help them get to the postseason, then the deal was worth it – period. If they can make the postseason and sign Sabathia to an extension after the year, well then obviously that’s a huge bonus.
