CC Sabathia Traded to Brewers (for LaPorta + Prospects)

[NCCubFan]

I think he'd give the Brewers the edge over the Cardinals for the wild card, but not put them over the Cubs. I don't expect the Cubs to continue struggling as they have the past couple of weeks. Zambrano is back tonight and Soriano should be back fairly soon.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Rosenthal is now reporting that the Dodgers are pursuing both Sabathia and the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

 

Link.

 

The Brewers aren't the only team pushing hard for Indians left-hander C.C. Sabathia. The Dodgers also are heavily in the mix, according to major-league sources.

 

However, the Dodgers' bid for Sabathia is complicated by their pursuit of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson as a replacement for the injured Rafael Furcal, sources say.

 

To get Wilson, the Dodgers would need to trade the Pirates some of the same players that the Indians want for Sabathia, leaving Los Angeles with a choice of one deal or the other.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More from Rosenthal about the Dodgers offer...

 

While the Dodgers might not offer a prospect better than Brewers Class AA left fielder Matt LaPorta, their proposal for Sabathia would include three players, sources say.

 

Class AA right-hander James McDonald, Class AAA shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and third baseman Andy LaRoche are among the Dodgers' prospects likely drawing consideration form the Indians.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Getting all 3 of LaRoche, Hu, and McDonald would be a real nice package for the Indians.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Getting all 3 of LaRoche, Hu, and McDonald would be a real nice package for the Indians.

 

In order to foil the Brewers, I guess we have to hope the Dodgers want CC more than they want Jack Wilson.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

More on the Brewers pursuit of Sabathia...

 

Link

 

just talked with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who confirmed that he remains in pursuit of Cleveland left-hander C.C. Sabathia. But Melvin said he has no deal in place and his understanding is that the Indians are still entertaining offers from other clubs.

 

If the Brewers' latest offer is accepted, it's my understanding that it would include top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

 

 

 

"I've talked to Cleveland. We've discussed players. They're trying to make the best deal they can. At least we've got players they're willing to discuss. But I don't anticipate anything happening in the next couple of days."

 

[CubsGM]

Please make this happen Cleavland.

[Sammy Sofa]

GO DODGERS!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Everything I'm reading indicates the Brewers are trying to get this done soon...like before Sabathia's next start.

[rawaction]

If the Dodgers are thinking McDonald, Hu, and Laroche for Sabathia and think they would have to give up some of the same names for Jack Wilson, then they are gonna overpay for Jack Wilson. The Pirates would be making out like bandits by getting either McDonald or Laroche straight up for Wilson.

 

The closest the Cubs could probably come, talent wise to that package from the Dodgers, IMO would be: Gallagher, Colvin, Tony Thomas. I think the Indians will value bats more than pitchers if they trade CC, because Lee, Carmona, Miller still has the makings of a good rotation.

[CubsGM]

It's over...CC is a Brewer

[imb]

It's over...CC is a Brewer

 

BALL GAME

[Drew Doughty]

It's over...CC is a Brewer

 

BALL GAME

 

LOL

[CubsGM]

Brewer forum:

I just talked with Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, who confirmed that he remains in pursuit of Cleveland left-hander C.C. Sabathia. But Melvin said he has no deal in place and his understanding is that the Indians are still entertaining offers from other clubs.

 

If the Brewers' latest offer is accepted, it's my understanding that it would include top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

 

"Cleveland is in control of this, not us," said Melvin, who wouldn't reveal the names of players he has on the table. "They told us they're talking to other clubs, too. You never know how these things are going to work out.

 

"I've talked to Cleveland. We've discussed players. They're trying to make the best deal they can. At least we've got players they're willing to discuss. But I don't anticipate anything happening in the next couple of days."

 

If the Brewers' offer is accepted, they will have corralled the top pitcher available on the trade market, which they believe could push them to their first playoff berth since 1982. To make it happen, they are willing to part with LaPorta, a first-round draft pick in 2007 considered one of the top sluggers in the minor leagues.

 

The Brewers were anxious eager to complete a deal to fend off other clubs in the hunt for Sabathia, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, and get him in a Milwaukee uniform as soon as possible.

 

Several other highly rated prospects have been discussed during negotiations, but the Brewers were thought to be willing to do the deal for LaPorta, Green and another prospect, perhaps Cain.

 

LaPorta is a marvelous talent who was batting .291 with 20 home runs and 66 RBI through 82 games at Class AA Huntsville. He previously was considered an untouchable, but the Brewers realized they would have to part with one of the top two offensive players in their system, LaPorta or third baseman Mat Gamel, to get Sabathia.

 

Sabathia, who will be 28 later in the month, was placed on the trade market after the Indians fell into last place in the AL Central and made no progress trying to sign him to a multi-year contract extension. Sabathia can be a free agent after the season and the Brewers have no illusions of keeping him beyond 2008.

 

For various reasons, the Brewers believe the window of opportunity is now to make the playoffs for the first time in 26 years, the second-longest current drought in the majors behind the Montreal Expos-turned-Washington Nationals.

 

The Brewers lost young right-hander Yovani Gallardo for the season with a knee injury on May 1, a devastating blow to their starting rotation.

 

With right-hander Ben Sheets headed for free agency after the season and the future of first baseman Prince Fielder uncertain, the Brewers aren't guaranteed of being in this position a year from now. That situation heightened the urgency to find an established starting pitcher who might put them over the top, and they immediately targeted Sabathia.

 

How many times does a reigning Cy Young Award winner go on the market? The Brewers were aware of that unique opportunity with Sabathia, whose 6-8 record is more the result of a lack of run support than poor pitching.

 

Sabathia has a 3.83 ERA in 18 starts and leads the AL with 123 strikeouts in 12261/3 innings. The Brewers have scouted his recent starts, including his outing Wednesday in Chicago.

 

Sabathia is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday and the Brewers would like that to come in a Milwaukee uniform. Sabathia then could make another start the following Sunday before the all-star break.

 

Asked Friday about the possibility of trading Sabathia, Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro would not tip his hand.

 

"C.C. is a guy we feel very strongly about," said Shapiro. "He's a special No. 1 starter, and until that changes, we're fortunate to have him here. We believe in him and enjoy watching him pitch every fifth day."

 

Didn't exactly shoot down the trade rumors, did he?

[CUBZ99]

So with these names thrown about does this mean the Cubs are out of the bidding? I can't see anybody in the Cubs system that would interest the Indians that much, unless they believed that Hill could turn it around and the Cubs were offering Marmol, Pie, etc.

[CubsGM]

Yeah the Cubs are out of the bidding and should turn their focus to Harden now, I still don't understand why the A's would even consider giving up Harden since they are still in the race.

Maybe look at Maddux/Burnett as well.

[anabiono]

the only pitcher we should be looking at is burnett...after that it is slim pickins...

 

hendry better be able to pull off a damn good magic trick here in the upcoming few weeks...

 

COME ON JIM

[Outshined_One]

So with these names thrown about does this mean the Cubs are out of the bidding? I can't see anybody in the Cubs system that would interest the Indians that much, unless they believed that Hill could turn it around and the Cubs were offering Marmol, Pie, etc.

 

LaPorta is the only Brewers name the Cubs can't match, imo. Green and Cain aren't anything special.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

So with these names thrown about does this mean the Cubs are out of the bidding? I can't see anybody in the Cubs system that would interest the Indians that much, unless they believed that Hill could turn it around and the Cubs were offering Marmol, Pie, etc.

 

LaPorta is the only Brewers name the Cubs can't match, imo. Green and Cain aren't anything special.

 

LaPorta is definitely the centerpiece, but he's far and away better than anything we have that can match.

 

Our only hope of competing with a deal like that is if the Indians would go for quantity over quality.

[questionmarkgrace]

The dodgers offer is not that great Ive seen enough of Hu and LaRoche and they are decent prospects but not perennial allstars. Laporta has that talent. Despite this years anemic offense Cleveland should be looking for pitching. Without Sabathia their staff doesnt look great. Carmona will be back, Laffey has looked good but Lee will come back down to earth and Westbrook is a question mark going forward. Prospect David Huff is good but is he ready? Their top prospect Adam Miller cant stay healthy to save his life. Beyond that it is slim pickens. They've got alot of questions about a rotation w/out sabathia. Biggest needs are a front line starter or two good starters and bullpen help/potential closers.

[Guest]

If the Dodgers are thinking McDonald, Hu, and Laroche for Sabathia and think they would have to give up some of the same names for Jack Wilson, then they are gonna overpay for Jack Wilson. The Pirates would be making out like bandits by getting either McDonald or Laroche straight up for Wilson.

 

The closest the Cubs could probably come, talent wise to that package from the Dodgers, IMO would be: Gallagher, Colvin, Tony Thomas. I think the Indians will value bats more than pitchers if they trade CC, because Lee, Carmona, Miller still has the makings of a good rotation.

 

I think the quote meant that some of the players (not all 3) going for CC would be needed to get Wilson.

[RedFlash]

And to think, LaPorta is another guy that got away from the Cubs....but oh well...

 

And if the Brewers think they can get a deal done before his next start, then they are crazy. Shapiro isn't going to take the first offer (essentially) and run. In fact, I kinda like the offer the Dodgers would be offer (starting with LaRoche) more then the Brewers offer. The Dodgers can't match LaPorta, but the Brewers can't match---IMO---the Dodgers depth. But if I am Cleveland, I would ask for either Either or Kemp, along with LaRoche. Because let's face it, Cleveland isn't going to rebuild, they are likely to reload, and getting major league ready players, IMO, is their top priority over getting TOP prospects. Now if the TOP Prospects is major league ready, then fine, but I feel the Indians wants players they can plug into the lineup quickly, and contend next yr. Which might hurt the Brewers chances, seeing as LaPorta is the only prospect that could be immediately pencil into the lineup next yr.

 

But if the Dodgers offer up Kemp or Either and LaRoche, and maybe Hu for CC, I would take that deal over a deal that centers around LaPorta. But that is just me.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I wonder if Cleveland might try to get Jon Meloan from the Dodgers.

[17 Seconds]

the only pitcher we should be looking at is burnett...after that it is slim pickins...

 

hendry better be able to pull off a damn good magic trick here in the upcoming few weeks...

 

COME ON JIM

 

Earlier on BBTN Olney was on and said that the Jays haven't gotten any calls on A.J. Burnett and that nobody is interested. Not a shock, it never seemed like Hendry was really after him.

 

So let's take a look at the possibilities

 

Sabathia- Likely to the Brewers (we never had a legit shot anyways

Harden- Unlikely to be dealt

Burnett- Apparently not on Jim's radar

Bedard- Apparently the M's will only trade him if they get a deal close to what they gave up for him this winter (which should not happen and is ridiculous)

 

After that, I can't think of a single name that excites me that is rumored to be available.Bleh, I bet we end up with Randy Wolf.

[17 Seconds]

And to think, LaPorta is another guy that got away from the Cubs....but oh well...

 

And if the Brewers think they can get a deal done before his next start, then they are crazy.

 

Buster Olney said earlier tonight that he is hearing there is a very good chance he gets traded before his next start. He could just be piggybacking someone else's info, but still.