FanNation - The Republic of Sport

By Joe Delgrippo 

At first glance I thought the Milwaukee Brewers made a grave mistake in trading for C.C. Sabathia, basically a rental for 3 months plus the possible postseason. It’s almost a given Sabathia will test free agency this off season, hoping to reap Johan Santana like money from the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox. But, after seeing what the Brewers gave up – AA stud OF/1B Matt LaPorta (last year’s first round pick) and three no names, it appears that Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin got the best of Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro.

Sabathia brings a wealth of experience and ability to a Brewers team starved for a second top starter behind ace Ben Sheets. RH Sheets (10-2, 2.77), basically having his first non injury season in four years, and lefty Manny Parra (8-2, 3.69) form a nice 1-2 already, but by adding Sabathia, the Brewers have three top pitchers who they can throw in an important series. Somehow Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan, two aging also-rans, as well as converted reliever Seth McClung, don’t inspire faith in Milwaukee.

While Sabathia’s record of 6-8 is not imposing, he has received little run support from the hitting starved Tribe and has fastened a 5-3 record in his last eight decisions, including two complete game shutouts. Since his first four starts in April when he was 0-3 with a 13.50 ERA, Sabathia has a glistening 2.17 ERA his 14 starts. With the Brewers hot hitting attack behind him, if Sabathia continues to pitch at his current level, he could conceivably win 10-12 games over 14-16 starts.

The Indians should have received more for Sabathia as there were reports of up to four teams interested in the talented, but bulky, left handed starter. The Dodgers could have used another starter because Brad Penny is still out, while the Phillies and Cubs wanted starting pitching help, too.

These extra teams involved plus the fact that everyone knew Milwaukee was eager to make a quick deal should have cost the Brewers a bundle of major league ready hitting prospects – something the Indians sorely needed.

But, while Melvin kept hearing that teams were interested in LaPorta plus shortstop Alcides Escobar, 3B Mat Gamel or C Angel Solome, all of whom are at Double AA Huntsville, Melvin stuck to keeping his other top prospects. He packaged Zach Jackson, a AAA pitcher with some major league experience (2-2, 5.40 in 8 games) and Single A pitcher Rob Bryson and High A third baseman Taylor Greene. While Greene (the Brewers’ 2007 minor league POY) is hitting for .298/10/54 at Brevard County, his path is blocked by the formidable Gamel, blistering the ball for .374/15/75 with a 1.056 OPS a level higher.

By keeping all his top prospects other than LaPorta, Melvin secured a bright future for the Brewers. The Brew Crew already has a talent loaded roster of homegrown hitters, but all are coming due soon for arbitration and free agency. Those positions the Brewers will need to fill in the next several years, such as third base, catcher and second base will be filled by the prospects Melvin retained. This Sabathia trade is also great for Prince Fielder. With the trading of LaPorta, a likely Fielder replacement, Prince’s big contract day could arrive sooner than expected, especially if Milwaukee does not retain Sheets and/or Sabathia. Everybody is now happy in Brewerland!

If Sabathia moves on to greener pastures, the Brewers will inherit two draft picks –a first rounder and a first round supplemental pick. Coupled with the picks they’ll receive if Sheets decides to move and their own pick, they could have five first found picks next year.

Seeing Sabathia in another uniform won’t be all that bad for Milwaukee, especially if Sabathia helps them to the playoffs. Based on Milwaukee’s recent draft history, those two picks could turn out better than LaPorta and three minor prospects.

Last year’s deadline deals did not turn out as expected as the Atlanta Braves obtained Mark Teixeira and the Boston Red Sox got Eric Gagne from the Texas Rangers. Neither player helped their team over the hump as the Braves faded and Gagne did all he could to ruin the BoSox season.

Most trade deadline deals that work out for the obtainer usually are lower-ended in nature, such as Aaron Boone to the Yankees in 2003, Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz to the Red Sox in 2004 and Jeff Weaver to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006.

This big name trade will work out for the Milwaukee Brewers – in a very big way.

On the day when Milwaukee took over the Wild Card lead by percentage points over the Cardinals, the addition of C.C. Sabathia to the Brewers turns the balance of power in the National League towards Milwaukee. With their proven lineup of hitters and now a trio of top starters, Milwaukee will coast to the playoffs and be tough to beat in a short series.