Sabathia is a Brewer!

Well the Cleveland Indians have officially begun rebuilding today by trading former ace CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers. Coming back from Milwaukee are a package of prospects headlined by outfielder Matt LaPorta, the seventh overall pick in last year's draftwho plays for the Huntsville Stars (AA Milwaukee) and what looks like 3 lower level prospects. For the present this looks like an absolute steal for Milwaukee. The Brewers knew that they would have to give up one top prospect and they gave up their most expendable prospect (LaPorta) and they did not have to give up Alcides Escobar, Matt Gamel, or Angel Salome. However, this deal could haunt the Brewers in the long run. Sabathia is a free agent and he and his representatives have stated that he will not negotiate any type of contract until the offseason and he is looking for a Johan Santana type deal (not bad for a 6-8 record). If the Brewers do not make the playoffs, they will most likely lose him and possibly Ben Sheets. The Brewers would have 5 draft picks within the first 32 selections, but is that really the message they want to send to their fan base? Meanwhile LaPorta was hitting .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBI's for Huntsville and he joins a powerstarved Cleveland team who desperatly needs him in their outfield (outside of Grady Sizemore can you really depend on Shin Soo Choo, Franklin Gutierrez, or Ben Francisco?). He'll probably join the Indians AA farm team in Akron and will see time at AAA Buffalo and possibly Cleveland in late September. So if LaPorta becomes the power hitting prospect he's slated to be, and if one of the two lower level guys develops and the Brewers don't qualify for the playoffs and lose Sabathia how will this turn out for Cleveland. I'll give credit to Brewers GM Doug Melvin for making the move which could potentially vault the Brewers into the playoffs but Indians GM Mark Shapiro has a history of trading all-star pitchers and getting great value for them (See the Bartolo Colon trade to Montreal in 2002). I like how the Brewers are putting themselves into contention for the playoffs, but this deal could hurt the Brewers more than actually help