The Cleveland Indians, who sit 14 games out of first place and in the gutter have dealt C.C Sabathia to the Milwauke Brewers. Milwaukee, who is stuck behind the cursed Cubs of Chicago picks up a reliable pitcher who won 19 games last season, along with the Cy Young award. This season, C.C’s ERA has climbed but still remains below 4 runs per game but has only won 6 of 18 games started.
The Indians picked up “The God of all Prospects” according to the Beckett Message Boards, Matt Laporta. Laporta currently has 20 home runs, 66 RBI, and is hitting .288 in the Minors. You can expect a Jay Bruce-like debut among card collectors when he finally makes his debut (possibly in September). Whatever you do, don’t waste your money on the next big thing.
After all, just look at Jay Bruce. Nothing like wasting $1,000+ dollars on the next Ted Williams, only to discover he really wasn’t that great, at least not yet.
Sad day for Cleveland
Excuse me while I go cry in my beer.
I’m glad to hear this. The Rays were rumored to be interested, but I didn’t want them to give up any great prospects to get a rental player. I also didn’t want him to wind up with another A.L. team.
If you had spent that much money on Bruce during his first two weeks up earlier this year then yah, total waste. But if you had spent it say, two years ago, and sold during said stretch of time then, well,,, bigtime payday.
I was impatient and sold all my Bruce stuff last winter, could have gotten at least twice as much had I waited.
I really don’t think it’s gonna turn out to be such a prosperous deal. In fact, I’m willing to bet the Brewers still don’t make the playoffs. Anybody wanna place a card bet?
And Mario, why no love for Jay Bruce?
Huh, that’s surprising. I’ve heard rumblings about the trade for a few days now, but I didn’t think the Brewers would actually go through with it. I guess Thorzul is partying while the 142 Indians bloggers out there are crying in their beers. Or maybe eating one last cheeseburger for their lost captain. As long as this helps Milwaukee beat the accursed Cubs, I’m all for it.
Anybody think of the Poison song lyric “C.C. pick up that guitar and talk to me” when you hear his name? Brewers still aren’t making the playoffs with or without Capt. Cheezbrgr.
How dare you sully the name of Jay Bruce by mentioning that hack Williams in the same sentence. May a pox be upon your Marlins!
Oh. It appears someone has beaten me to the poxing.
I dont know why you would give up LaPorta for a half year of Sabathia. That doesnt make sense considering you are giving up the future for a guy who may not even help you other than 1 day per week.
The Brewers are idiots, unless they somehow have the money to sign him.
I haven’t been this upset about a deal in a long time. I really wanted to see LaPorta stay in Milwaukee. Listening to the Brewers radio station this morning, they are talking about how they won’t re-sign CC, but it doesn’t matter, since he will bring two draft picks, losing Ben Sheets will net them 2 picks, and they already have 1 pick. He mentioned they will get 5 of the first 35 picks in the MLB 09 draft.
This is a TERRIBLE move on their part. LaPorta WILL mash in the majors. They should of held out and dealt Gammel or Escobar instead. Why deal a 1st round pick from a year ago, that is nearly MLB ready!!
The Brewers are trying to win the World Series this year, and this move really helps them towards that goal. I would think that Brewers fans would rather win a World Series than see LaPorta “mashing” for them. LaPorta is an outfielder anyway, and it’s usually not hard to find good outfielders.
I agree with you completely Dave, LaPorta is a great prospect who will have a very good ML career. However, the Brewers are absolutely loaded at all levels with minor league outfielders. Sabathia will be a force in the NL and his presence will put severe pressure on the Cubbies all the way through September.
I love minor league prospects, but the fact remains that World Series are won by the teams who are not afraid to make impact deals at critical times during the season. This trade will work well for both sides involved.
Hey! What about the Cardinals? They are tied with the Brewers and are much better anyway. THE CARDINALS WERE MEANT TO WIN THE WORLD SERIES AGAIN!
Its’ nice to see that Cleveland learned a lesson following the Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome free agent exits that brought back nothing. They get something out of this one leaving.
I think it’s a good deal for Milwaukee… they aren’t that far from contention and outfield prospects are a dime a dozen these days. For every young outfielder that meets the hype like Grady Sizemore, there are two others who don’t like Alex Escobar and Jose Cruz Jr. I’d give up an OF prospect instead of a position player or pitcher any day.
Ok, before everyone in the land of cheese and beer starts bathing each other in MGD Light, lets keep in mind that the trading deadline is still a little ways off. The Cubs are not going to just sit on their hands. There are other pitchers out there, and frankly, I’m glad the Cubs didn’t give away one of their best prospects to rent Captain Cheeseburger for 3 months. Has everyone just not noticed that he is 6-8 this season, has a terrible post-season track record, and is going to pitch in a band-box in Milwaukee?
“Has everyone just not noticed that he is 6-8 this season, has a terrible post-season track record, and is going to pitch in a band-box in Milwaukee?”
Also a near 4 ERA! He is not worth giving up your top prospect for a 3 month rental.
Charlie, W/L record is a terrible way to evaluate pitchers. ERA isn’t great either but if your interested, the Capt had 4 terrible starts to begin the season and has been a monster since then. His ERA in the last 2 months is around 2.00. This is not to say that the Brewers made the right decision. Cleveland is very happy to land LaPorta, especially after all of the stuff I’ve read about him. But let’s not pretend that CC isn’t one of the best pitchers in baseball. He very well may be the piece that puts the Brewers over the edge. As for the Cubs, I’m pretty sure that Byrd is available too, if that helps.
Oh, and I’m not entirely convinced that last years playoffs constitutes a “track record”.
Charlie, the W-L record is worthless in evaluating his pitching abilities. And the ERA and other stats are worsened by the terrible April that C.C. had. But take a look at his June numbers:
1.90 ERA, .213 BA against, 44 K’s and only 7 BB’s in 38 IP.
He will help the Brewers a lot. Bad news for the Cubs!
Brewers finish 3rd in the NL Central. Sheets goes on the DL again. LaPorta becomes an AL monster. Quote me on it.
Charlie…I wouldn’t go that far. I do think this helps the BrewCrew make the playoffs, but the Cubbies should be too strong. They will regret the deal. Pay out a ton of money for a number #7 overall pick last year, then deal for a rent a player. BAD MOVE.