Brewers Close To Acquiring C.C. Sabathia

LaPorta for a rental...? At least the Indians will have their 1B/LF/DH of the future.

this should be finished before the end of the night

LaPorta is expendable, though. They have Prince at first and Braun in left... I'm sure Gamel's emergence also plays a factor.

In fact, the more I think about it, there was a lot of speculation that they drafted LaPorta with the intention of him being a trading chip within their system.

He may be expendable but is still alot to give up for half a year of Sabbathia just to finish in 2nd place.

Lucky for the brewers 2nd place will be good enough for the playoffs

I don't have a horse in this race being I'm not a Brewer or Cubs fan...just a baseball fan. From an objective point of view If the Brewers abtain C.C they win the division possibly going away. If you look at the two squads the Brewers are superior at every offensive position with the exception of C, 3rd, and 2nd. And saying that I don't see DeRosa or Weeks keeping up their current rate of production, either positive or negative. A rotation led by CC and Sheets is better and is more established than any top two the Cubs throw out there. The key advantage the Cubs have is the Bullpen. But with Marmol's recent struggles and the health history of Wood I wouldnt call it a "huge" advantage. Good luck to both squads should be a fun race.

You have to remember that if Sabathia walks away from the Brewers, the Brewers get two very high draft choices. So, it's not simply giving LaPorta up for a rental.

HAHA... Sorry but the Johnson/Edmonds platoon is by far better option then Mike Cameron, Derrek Lee is a better all around hitter then Prince Fielder, Kosuke Fukudome is at the LEAST a wash with Corey Hart, and Soriano/Braun is too close to call. The Cubs bullpen blows away Milwaukee and the Cubs defense is MUCH better then Milwaukees.

"You have to remember that if Sabathia walks away from the Brewers, the Brewers get two very high draft choices. So, it's not simply giving LaPorta up for a rental."

Agreed.

"HAHA... Sorry but the Johnson/Edmonds platoon is by far better option then Mike Cameron, Derrek Lee is a better all around hitter then Prince Fielder, Kosuke Fukudome is at the LEAST a wash with Corey Hart, and Soriano/Braun is too close to call. The Cubs bullpen blows away Milwaukee and the Cubs defense is MUCH better then Milwaukees."

AND HERE IT COMES PEOPLE!! That didnt take long for the most pompous,ignorant fanbase out here to come out and spout there venemous nonsense. The truth is is doesnt matter if it was Milwauke, LA, Philly, etc, they just cant believe that someone else would get a player that they wanted. How dare the Brewers try and get CC when we could give them Murton, Pie,Cedeno an whatever hooey they have to offer. How dare the Indians!!

I think if you're the Brewers and are making this deal, you have to go for broke. I'd like to see them make a play on Burnett too, and they have the depth at SS to make that deal happen.

A front 3 of Sheets, Sabathia, and Burnett is just filthy.

The brewers and cubs are VERY close all around, and if you dont see that you dont know much about baseball. The offesnses are similar, although the cubs have put up MUCH better numbers. The brewers and cubs pitcing staffs are similar, even though the cubs so far have better numbers. The brewers are winning now and will win today, and they either will be tied for the wild card or 2.5 GB the cubs. Dont be stupid, you know its going to be a race, and this may be my biased brewers opinion, but I think a deal for cc puts them over the cubs, and I think they will go to the WS.

superfan:
What are you talking about DeRosa won't keep his production up? Also CC is a okay pither this year. He is a great pitcher in his career. his record is 6-8. Sheets is 10-2. Now the Cubs have Zambrano and Dempster. Z is 9-3 (more wins if he wasnt hurt), and Dempster is 9-3. Now the Cubs will/must go out and get another pitcher. Hopefully it will be Harden from Okland, he is 5-0. Now what is the HUGE deal about getting CC. I use to be a pitcher in college and i understand that pitching wins, but with the NLC, it isnt 100% true. Look at the runs scored for the Cubs :468, Brewers: 395. Pitching CAN win games, but for the NLC, offense wins more games. Lets face it, the Cubs have the best offense, espically with Soriano coming back. Sayin that I really think that the brewers will have a better chance winning the WC, but not the division.

I'd gladly give up prospects to bring tears to cubs fans eyes yet again...this could be a fun second half!!!

i agree with forlife.

They have Braun in left locked up, but I thought Fielder at first has no long term deal yet. This might signal one in the off season. Anyhow, LaPorta is a trading chip and this would make a nice move for the Brewers and their fans. Being a Cub fan I don't like it. It is a nice move for several reasons. 1) Shows Brewers players and fans management is trying hard. 2) LaPorta is a trading chip in areas they already have in place 3) No matter the outcome, when CC walks, the Brewers have a couple picks coming. Although this is not a great draft class coming up. 4) As much as I would love the Cubs to get him, I did not see Hendry pulling this one.

And the brewers shouldnt trade for burnett, unless they can get him for super cheap, the brewers wont give up a good prospect for him , and they certainly wont give up JJ. If burnett pitches good, he leaves the club after this year, and we get a couple draft picks. If he stinks, were stuck with him and his terible salary. The cubs can have him.

And cub fans, YOUR NOT GETTING HARDEN. he is under club control for a few years, which makes him costlier than cc. He is younger than cc, which makes him costlier. Oh yeah, and you dont have the prospects to get it done. Go after burnett, thats the best your goona get.

"Sayin that I really think that the brewers will have a better chance winning the WC, but not the division."

Wow thats really something considering YESTERDAY you said it didnt matter if the Crew got CC because they will "chocke" and not catch the cards and cubs. I guess miracles never cease.LOL!!

glover28 are you the GM for Okland?

Well, if you're ok going forward with Dave Bush and Seth McClung to round out your rotation, then who needs Burnett!

Worst case scenario is the Brewers get heavily compensated with draft picks and restock their system.

Its a win/win situation for them to go for it right now.

cubs land, are you an idiot?

Burnett is 4-0 against the NL this season, and has been pretty dominant in his starts against the NL.

Just sayin.

dude CHILL. I guess you are a Brewers fan. Taking this comment thing all serious. DUDE JUST CHILL.. k?

no, burnett isnt 4-0 because the brewers beat him, and they really smacked him around, that was the dave bush near no-no, but he has other than that been good against the NL. I dont know if milwaukee needs to try and get him. We do however need someone to replace weeks at 2B, maybe someone like brian roberts.

No he lost aganist the Brewers

since everybody are Brewers fans, can yall see Greg Maddux getting traded to the Brewers. I have heard that rumor from several radio stations in Chicago

You're right. Stupid Yahoo didn't have that game listed in their split stats that I was referencing. But yeah, 4-1 is still very good.

Roberts would cost WAY too much. The O's would be asking for Gamel, and that would just be the start of it.

cubs land-
How can you say that C.C. is an "okay pitcher this year". He started of slow, however look at his stats since then. W-L record shows nothing about a pitcher. And IMO I don't think the cubs have what it takes to get Harden. He is under team control, and it's Billy Beane. He doesn't let people get away for cheap.

Actually cubs_land, I'm not a Brewers fan or Cubs fan.

I just follow baseball very closely.

brewers bullpen still stinks

trade gamel/escobar + 2 prospects for huston street

24 yrs old

fa till 2010

I can see why brewers fans are reluctant to give up Laporta for CC. First, most of the brewers prospects have come to the majors and played good baseball, so the thought of giving up a slugger bat to protect Fielder in the order is tough to swallow. That combined with the Linebrink trade last year that sent some good prospects (one of them, Thatcher, produced for the pardes last years) for a rental that did more damage when he was on the mound than anything else, make for a couple of good reasons to squirm at this trade.

That said, as good as the young guys have been, that's no guaranty that LaPorta will come up and hit. Look at Weeks. He hasn't lived up to the hype. The Cubs have Pie. Both of whom were to come to the bigs and works wonders. Hasn't happened. Maybe they will come around, then again maybe they won't. So if the brewers get CC and go to the playoffs that is probably worth sending a AA prospect to the Indians that may or may not hit in the bigs.

Problem is the brewers have been sellers for so long that fans aren't accustomed to giving up these young talents for 'win now' impact players. At some point the brewers need to play to win the season they are currently playing instead of looking a year or two ahead. With Gallardo out, Milwaukee needs another good arm to compete with the cubs. Cubs have an excellent team (I think we can all admit that personal feeling aside) (though probably not so good as to warrant some the cubs fans pompous attitudes) esp if they are going to shore up some of their weaknesses via trades.

Hats off to McClung; he's been outstanding, but the brewers can't count on a reliever turned starter not to fade in the late season as the number of innings start to take a toll. Nor can they hang their hat on Bush, who has improved lately, but is too erratic to count on good starts every 5 days. Suppan is suppan, and will have an unremarkable era around 4.50. Parra has done a nice job, but will the rookie buckle under the pressure of the race? or worse in the playoffs if they get there? Brewers need an arm that can compliment sheets. They might even want to look for another bullpen arm to replace Mota. The mets didn't trade him for a player that they were going to cut for nothing.

All this is figuring that the Cardinals aren't going to be the playoff picture (which to much everyone's surprise is looking less and less likely). They been there before and are less likely to wilt under pressure. So you can't count them out.

I say make the trade...get the picks if he walks at the end of the season and pick up another LaPorta type player. CC is a horse and will win you a lot of ball games down the stretch. Harden will come at a high price and you run the high risk of the him not making all his starts. Wolf isn't much of an upgrade. Burnett has an attitude problem to go along with a lot of mediocrity come game time (look at his numbers).

Heck, getting CC might even fix the Mota problem by putting McClung back in the pen and waive Mota. CC is a good thing for the brewers anyway you look at it IMO.

Just my two pennies.

I don't think there's any way that the Brewers can make as many trades are being called for here.

Landing Sabathia, Roberts, and Maddux would take a hefty toll on their farm system.

Besides, looking at Maddux's splits away from PETCO, how much would that improve the Brewers' rotation?

Maddux is 2-5 with a 5.71 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP on the road this season, although he has actually allowed fewer home runs on the road.

I don't see the Brewers acquiring Maddux.

Plus, as crazy as it is to think, the Orioles are only six games out of the Wild Card race in the AL. I don't think they'll be trading Roberts unless they're farther back than that at the end of July.

as the the cubs vs the brewers offense. The cubs do have the better offense bases purely on numbers. IMO what is the equalizer is that both teams can get red hot and put up a ton of runs and both offenses can inexplicably go stone cold. when either team is red hot or stone cold you can toss all the numbers out.

Arly2380, that isn't even reasonable for Street.

does anybody see the Brewers going after two pitchers?

The Indians need to hold out for BOTH LaPorta and Escobar. If the Brewers don't want to include both then they just won't get CC.

The Indians need to get the best possible deal and if they don't then they just need to hold onto him and get the 2 compensatory picks if he leaves via free agency.

CC is the best pitcher in baseball right now and even if he is a rental for a team, the Tribe needs to get the best deal and LaPorta and a couple low-minor leaguers just isn't enough.

Cubs Land,

I don't know that it would hurt the Brewers, but I also don't know that they need to. Manny Parra has been nothing short of brilliant lately, and Dave Bush has had some excellent starts as well.

Not a Brewers fan or anything here, but just my objective opinion: I'll take that offense and a rotation fronted by Sabathia/Sheets in a postseason series over just about any opponent, especially a five-game series.

Going after an A.J. Burnett type player could be beneficial or a complete disaster, and I just don't see the risk there being worth giving up prospects, especially with the Crew being on the cusp of landing Sabathia.

He's been far better than "OK" as someone stated earlier. Since April, he's been completely and utterly dominant.

It's a nice trade by the Brewers even if they had to give up a top prospect. It doesn't guarantee a title any more than Santana "guaranteed" one for the Mets or the Cabrera/Willis deal "guaranteed" a title for the Tigers, but it should make the race even more interesting. As for the Cubs, they're still good enough to stand pat and win this thing but I'd be shocked if Hendry doesn't make a move of some sort. Right now I'm not excited about the prospect of trading for a Burnett or a Wolf as they seem like minimal upgrades...and I'm not sure they're an upgrade at all. The last thing the Cubs should do is make an unnecessary, desperate move as a reaction to the Brewers trade.

I have a feelng that the Cbs will get A.J. Burnett. But i also have a feeling it is going to be a complete disaser, unless the cubs trade pie (HE CANT HIT)

"Harden will come at a high price and you run the high risk of the him not making all his starts. Wolf isn't much of an upgrade. Burnett has an attitude problem to go along with a lot of mediocrity come game time (look at his numbers)."

Agreed on all the above. Harden was solid today, but again, the A's refuse (and rightfully so) to have him touch 100 pitches. Look at his splits and this guy rarely makes it into the 7th. Taking that into consideration with his injury history, Beane is STILL going to ask for a kings ransom. I just dont see how you do that for a guy who can(and has)go down in a minute.

Wolf IMO is just not that good. #5 starter who wont even sniff a playoff rotation, whats the point?

Burnett is your typical " has great stuff" pitcher but it never actually translates in the W-L column. He's never won more than 12 games, he too is a regular DL candidate and he really hasnt been all that spectacular this year( 8-8 4.9is ERA). Again like Harden, the jays are gonna ask for everything but the kitchen sink.

Czechy, I'd take LaPorta over two draft picks any day. You're not going to get anyone that good and that near of a guarantee to make the majors with a sandwich pick or a pick at the bottom of the first round. But I'm a Cub fan, so I hope the Indians follow your logic.

What about one of the two teams going after some one like Marcum he had the best ERA in the american league for awhile, even though hes on the DL now it didnt seem to be that serious of a problem

I can still see the Brewers goin after Greg Maddux especially after Neds comments about it when he said "You can never have enough pitching"

A Maddux for Gwynn makes too much sense that it probably wont happen. Gwynns becoming expendable as a LH leadoff CFer with the emergence of Michael Brantley in AA. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Michael%20Brantley&pos=LF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=488726

Im positive Greg Maddux would embrace a trade to Milwaukee to be reunited with his brother. Plus getting Maddux would allow us to put Bush in LR and McClung to a possible setup role.

A starting rotation of Sabathia, Sheets, Parra, Suppan and Maddux would go along ways to ensuring the Brewers there first post season birth since 1982.

The Dodgers are out of the Sabathia race? I really don't think they were seriously in it.

Colletti has a 1/4 of a brain to know they need hitting more than pitching. With Chan Ho Park having a Renaissance year (his pitches were going over 90mph in 6 innings on Saturday ERA now at 2.36 w/ 48 Ks in 61 innings) to go with Billingsly and Lowe, pitching isn't the obvious need. Brad Penny will hopefully be healthy soon, Kuroda although inconsistant, is pitching just enough and Eric Stults is doing enough to fill the gap.

The obvious need for winning now is in the very inconsistant offense. To win now, the Dodgers should be focusing on SS and 3rd. Adrian Beltre and his 16 HRs would go nice back at 3rd. Maybe LaRoche and either Young or Ethier?

I wonder what Pittsburgh wants for Wilson. Hu,Ivan DeJesus and another prospect?

FYI:

LaPorta is not in the lineup tonight for the Brewers' AA team Huntsville.

"The Indians need to hold out for BOTH LaPorta and Escobar. If the Brewers don't want to include both then they just won't get CC."

you have got to be joking, the brewers are having a hard enough time giving up one of them. Laporta is a super rare talent, your lucky to get him. The is no chance on earth the brewers will give up both them.

"The Dodgers are out of the Sabathia race? I really don't think they were seriously in it."

Agreed, and agreed that Coletti is an idiot. The Dodgers' problem isnt the pitching, its their anemic offense. If anything, he should be looking to trade some of that deep farm system for a veteran bat that can hit the ball out of the park.

Another pitcher to cross off as a potential trade target; Erik Bedard. ESPN reporting that he will miss his next start and probably not pitch again till after the AS break because of tightness in his shoulder. Can that deal get any worse for the M's?

glover28...

regardless of CC's status as a rent a player or not... he is the reigning cy young winner and currently pitching like one... you have to give up something to get something and 1 mid level top prospect is not enough return when talking about a pitcher like CC. shapiro needs to get the most he can for a pitcher of CC's caliber. which is why i would also think escobar needs to be included in the trade. if im shapiro im holding out for escobar, laporta and a low level prospect.. perhaps taylor green or lorenzo cain.. or jeremy jeffress.

no way your wrong, if thats what it comes down to, we'll keep our players and you can get 2 late 1st round draft picks that probably wont pan out to be even close to laporta and escobar's caliber. were getting CC for 2 and 1/2 months, thats not worth 2 GREAT prospects. DM will NOT give up both of them.

The logic behind saying it's a "no lose" situation for the Brewers to give up LaPorta for CC applies to why the Tribe shouldn't be in a rush to deal CC right now. If they wait and the deadline passes without trading Sabathia, they will get two high picks for him. I refuse to believe that LaPorta is so special that it would be impossible to find some sort of comparable player high in the draft next year. He may be good/great (potentially), but he is no Next A-Rod. If he was, he would've come up with the team and/or been playing right with Hart in Center.

Moreover, it is not as if CC is a from-nowhere-pitcher having a great year (i.e. Lohse) such that the Tribe need to trade him while his value is high before he (inevitably) regresses by July 31.

In summation: If I'm Shapiro, I let MIL set the price, compare other offers from other clubs for the next 2-4 weeks, and, if/when necessary GET MIL to include Escobar and/or other comparable talent. Although the Tribe are not going to the playoffs this year, in this situation, they are clearly in the driver seat.

Glover28: "if thats what it comes down to, we'll keep our players and you can get 2 late 1st round draft picks that probably wont pan out to be even close to laporta and escobar's caliber."

Interesting, that's exactly the net result for you when CC walks Oct. 1st. You lose LaPorta and 2 other prospects, gain 2 late 1st round draft picks that "probably wont pan out to be even close to laporta and escobar's caliber"

"Haudricourt checks back in, stating that a deal is nearly complete. The Brewers will send Matt LaPorta and two other minor leaguers in exchange for Sabathia's services. One of them could likely be Class A third baseman Taylor Green, but the other will NOT be Lorenzo Cain, Mat Gamel, or Alcides Escobar"

see, the deal is almost done, and its not going to include escobar.

ITS DONE!

Cubs need to look out now

Do the Cubs go after Harden now?

what do the cubs need to look out for??

and yes, i think the cubs will make a big splash to try to even out what the Brewers did. Remember the Cubs have Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster (both All-stars) and Lilly is starting to find it again. Marshall threw a gem today aganist the Cards..

Its been quite a long time since Dempster has thrown over 100 innings.

Brewers just got better, I know youre a cubs fan and its hard for you to admit that.

well yea they just got better. They just got a cy young winner guy. BUT the cubs have 3 solid staters (will be 4 after they trade for a pitcher). Face it the brewers still won't beat the Cubs, it is that simple. The brewers gm got him just to show you little brewers fans that they are trying. Good luck next year.

Brewers just got 4 games better, but LaPorta-less for next year, and the next 5 after that. Now the Cubs will make a move to get them 2-3 games better, or a couple of moves maybe.

cubs land, you are and idiot, just admit that now, the brewers are a better team than the cubs, and admit the fact the brewers are going to rape the cubs in the second half.

Well, it sounds like the seasons over. Just give the Brewers the trophy.

your just sad that we got the pitcher you wanted.

HAHA good one. Time will tell. HAHA you guys make me laugh. GO CUBBIES

I have nothing against Cubs World Champs please B4 I die, sory cubs fans everywhere, but cubs land makes you all look dumb as hell.

glover28, I detect alot of hostility.

"Well, it sounds like the seasons over. Just give the Brewers the trophy."
- What trophy?

the cubs would have had to give their whole farm system to get him. NO THANKS! I am really not sad, cuz the cubs are still better! again GOOD luck next year!

yeah, to idiot cubs fans like cubs land

glover28, take a breath. Hyperventilating affects your spelling.

When was the last time the Brewers made the playoffs?

"the cubs would have had to give their whole farm system to get him. NO THANKS! I am really not sad, cuz the cubs are still better! again GOOD luck next year!"

Who cant win on the road? CUBBIES! Who plays 7 games @ milwaukee in the 2nd half? CUBBIES! Whos going to choke in the 2nd half? CUBBIES!

Look people all silliness, aside, the BREWERS GOT BETTER. Are they better than the cubs? Too early to tell. Will the Crew overtake the cubs? Who knows, thats why they play the games. Will the race go down to the last week, maybe even that last cubs/brewers series in Milwaukee? We shall see. I am pretty sure of this, NOBODY will run away with the NL central.

cubs land, whens the last time the cubs won the WS? 1908. Ouch

Milwaukee will be LOADED with Cubs fans! Milwaukee is Wrigley Field NORTH!

Look, of course CC makes the Brewers better. But you don't mind if we finish the season, do you? This division race was always going to be a dog fight. Even when you Brewer fans were panicking and calling for Yost's head.

Let's wait to see what the two teams look like on Aug. 1st. It should be fun.

On this date 2007 the NL Central standings looked like:

Milwaukee ... 49/37
Chicago ... 43/42 -5.5

The season ended up looking like:

Chicago ... 85/77
Milwaukee ... 83/79 -2

Flash forward to today:

Chicago ... 53/36
Milwaukee ... 49/39 -3.5

So, the Brewers are sitting at 3.5 games back. Only a month ago they were 6.5 games. They gained 3 games in 30 days WITHOUT the addition of CC.

This addition is huge and is shifting the balance of power in the Central. Now, the Brewers just have to hope for the miracle that is Ben Sheets staying healthy. Dempster's great first half has been amazing but I'll take a healthy Sheets/Sabbathia combo ANY DAY over a Zambrano/Dempster duo.

You said HEALTHY! IF and its a big if, Sheets/CC are better than Zam/Dempter, are your 3,4,5 starters better that the Cubs? I DONT THINK SO.

One more note ... the Cubbies love to point out a glaring weakness in the Brewers - the bullpen. The Cubs love to brag about the Marmol/Wood combo. How many posts have we read about Marmol being the sickest pitcher in the game?

Looking beyond K/9 and WHIP you see a different story.

Kerry Wood has 5 blown saves in HALF a season. Marmol has followed up his dominant 2007 season by allowing his ERA to more than DOUBLE.

There is no doubt that Marmol and Wood are filthy and can dominate. However, they have proven to be a very middle of the road combo so far this season. And the bad news for the Cubs is that both pitchers have a lot of innings already logged and they have been less effective as the season has progressed.

"cubs land, whens the last time the cubs won the WS? 1908. Ouch"

so when's the last time the brewers won the world series? never. ouch. all childishness aside, this did make the brewers better. but the cubs caught the brewers last year and the cubs have two new all star starters that they didn't have starting at this time last year. (not to mention another in ryan dempster who wasn't starting last year) not to mention the edmonds/johnson platoon that is much better than who they had in center last year.)

Ok mr john difford, how long have the cubs been in chicago, since the 1800's, the brewers have only been in milwaukee 28 years. The brewers were in the WS 26 years ago, whens the lest time the cubs were in the WS?

Count me in as one of the shocked that Shapiro did not want Pie and Murton instead :)

Buster Olney is reporting that the deal is complete pending paperwork. Peter Gammons says the deal is likely to be completed by tomorrow.

wow this got childish in a hurry. why can't both sides admit the obvious...both cities have great teams now and as baseball fans (irrespective of the city) this is what we live for...an exciting, hard-fought season where every game is meaningful. How exciting is a season where one pummels everyone else and games don't mean anything? Going to games now is exciting since every game is a must win for all 3 teams. Heck, checking the box scores is exciting now. And we have the add benefit of it being exciting 'cause the teams are good, not because the division is lame *cough cough NL WEST cough cough*

Frankly, at this point, unless some other team makes a huge splash, both teams are going to the playoffs (I'm talking mostly about St Louis here) ...things will be settled there.

and on a more general note: I hope both teams do go and duke it out to go to the WS, maybe then espn, fox can stop talking about the east and esp. the mets. Attention world: the NL Central is a good division and is going to be into the foreseeable future. (I'm talking to you John Kruk)

Well as a Cubs fan I don't like to see that they will be getting Sabathia but lets see what Hendry can respond with.

I think Cardinals, Brewers, and Cubs fans all can agree that no one will be calling the NL Central the weakest division for quite some time. All three teams in the NL Cental are better than any in the West or East...too bad baseball doesn't work that way when it comes to the playoffs.

Should be a fun summer with these 3 teams hanging around til the end.

Now that's what I'm talking about

Yay NL Central.

I remember how much fun last year was going to the games in the last month of the season, and even watching those games. It should be a great second half.

Does anyone else hate watching things like ESPN when the focus is only on the AL East? still a little on the NL east too. the yankees stink, yet theyre always in the spotlight. Its about time when good clubs like the cubs, brewers, and to a certain extent the cardinals get the spotlight.

yea it gets boring turning out Baseball tonight and seeing Mets do this, and Yakees do that...NOW its all about the NLC

At least we can all agree on something.

''AND HERE IT COMES PEOPLE!! That didnt take long for the most pompous,ignorant fanbase out here to come out and spout there venemous nonsense. The truth is is doesnt matter if it was Milwauke, LA, Philly, etc, they just cant believe that someone else would get a player that they wanted. How dare the Brewers try and get CC when we could give them Murton, Pie,Cedeno an whatever hooey they have to offer. How dare the Indians!!''

Didn't I have this conversation with you before? The Cubs could have probably got this deal done and you saying stuff is stiring up more between Cubs and Brew Crew fans.

"ESPN's Buster Olney chimes in, citing sources that say the teams have agreed in principle to a deal. Sabathia himself sent a text message to ESPN's Amy Nelson implying the same. All signs point to Sabathia making his Brewers debut on Tuesday, with a trade announcement tomorrow."

Im sick of buster onley, he doesnt know anything, and he takes other peoples credit. He is reporting this trade two hours after the journal sentinel's Tom Haudricourt reported this. Im sure he hates seeing CC go to milwaukee because theyre a mid market team. He also said today that the brewers have a 0 percent chance at resigning him. Although it isnt likely they will resign him, there definitely is a chance, and dont expect Attanasio to let this team fall apart.

''I think if you're the Brewers and are making this deal, you have to go for broke. I'd like to see them make a play on Burnett too, and they have the depth at SS to make that deal happen.

A front 3 of Sheets, Sabathia, and Burnett is just filthy.''

Yeah that would be smart. First, they will trade all their prospects for 3 pitchers and if they do that watch the Brewers not win the division, watch those 3 pitchers walk away after the season as they will sign big and better deals with other teams. Yeah have the brewers do that and watch the Cubs win the division for years to come.

I thought we were done ripping on each other.

Thank you Cubs and Brewers fans for making this an entertaining evening!! The midwest breeds some crazy ass fans, is it the humidity?

"I use to be a pitcher in college and i understand that pitching wins, but with the NLC, it isnt 100% true."

Which college would that be?

I seriously want to know because I'm going to make sure my kids never go there.

If that institution gave you a diploma in spite of your poor writing and grammatical skills there's a real problem with that university.

As a Cubs fan I have no idea what we do now. I know this trade has been pretty much expected since last tuesday but it's really starting to sink in now. The division is going to be a nasty dog-race. And I'm not sure I like any of the available pitching options right now.

CUBBIES2008 has a good point. The brewers will have 2 pitchers walking away next year, and your pitching staff will have nobody. Also agree with the cubs winning for many years to come...their offense is good! Might to be a good trade for the present but if the brewers dont make the playoffs they will look like idiots.

"Might to be a good trade for the present but if the brewers dont make the playoffs they will look like idiots."

Idiots? That's kinda harsh I think. Yeah they might get burned but they're only 3.5 back approaching the All-Star break.

"Ok mr john difford, how long have the cubs been in chicago, since the 1800's, the brewers have only been in milwaukee 28 years. The brewers were in the WS 26 years ago, whens the lest time the cubs were in the WS?"

so when was the last time the brewers were in the playoffs? oh ya 26 years ago when they were in the world series. I'm just saying this because its funny that someone who is a fan of a team that hasn't sniffed the playoffs in a quarter of a century is bringing up the fact that the cubs havent won one in a hundred years. 39 years of existence = two playoff appearances and no ws wins. ill take the cubs history over the brewers any day.

seriously? are you guys starting again?

Here's the one thing about the last couple of comments that I don't get. Cubs fans implying that this is a bad move for Milwaukee because they will having no pitching next year when both leave and this will hand the cubs the division. Well, LaPorta wasn't a pitcher. If they don't get CC and Sheets walks aren't they in the same boat as if they got CC now and both walk? Shouldn't not having pitching next year make this an even better move by your reasoning? A sort of strike now before your good pitching is gone and you can't compete? If this season is Milwaukee's best shot before Sheets leaves, go for broke and make a run?(Not that I necessarily agree but that seems to be your logic)

or am I misunderstanding?

Glad for the prospects, but I will miss C.C. he has been a special part of this organization for many years. I just hope Dolan regrets it and opens the pocket book to throw some special money towards C.C. in free agency. Even if that means having to use guys from our system to fill roles. If not I wish C.C. the best of luck, he is truly an ace.

i understand they are only 3.5 games back, but hearing about the guy they traded he was a stud. So if they dont make the playoffs and they traded that guy the gm for the brewers will not be looking good and all the brewers fans will hate him. Hendry will get an ace. Yes, okland will want everything but with the brewers making this move it will make hendry want to get something and SIGN THAT PERSON LONG TERM. Do the brewers have money to spend?

You know what would be funny? If the Indians resigned Sabathia after the season.

HAHAHA it could happen...then all the brewers fans will get mad and all the cubs fans will b celebrating ANOTHER NLC championship. Oh yea the cubs have scored 475 runs.

For all you Cubs haters here, you've really set up a straw man on this site. I haven't seen or read a Cubs fan here who thought the Cubs could field a better offer for Sabathia. Or that Rich Harden could be had for the spare parts on the Cubs farm. Don't let for fiery hatred of the Cubs make you read things that don't exist.
That being said, I think Aaron Cook should be the focus of the Cubs attention. I think I read on this site before that O'Dowd had no intention of parting with Cook, but that is typical GM speak. I really think Cook could be had for what the Cubs can offer. He's no Sabathia, but he would be an excellent #2 behind Zambrano. Plus a real sinkerballer (not named Marquis) at Wrigley is long overdue.

I don't know if the they would deal in the same division, but knowing that Harang is available should be tempting for teams. He flies under the big names radar, but he's nasty. A good quality arm...I'd take him in a heartbeat

C.C. Sabathia is fat.

It amazes me how much people don't understand things. LaPorta is blocked at every position he is possible of playing by Fielder, Braun and Hart. His purpose is as a trade chip, hence why he is the perfect headliner for a deal such as this.

yea but Dusty would want ALL THE TOP PROSPECTS! Cook is an ace but i dont think the Cubs will get him. They need somebody but NOT from San Diego Padres.

CC is fat. Better hope that CC will hit homers all the time. Also Prince is a big boy too. Might not be the best team but for sure will be the BIGGEST

Dusty does get hot and bothered over anyone named Patterson, so there's prospect #1. Go out and sign and trade Neifi Perez and Jose Macias and throw in a box of toothpicks and some wristbands and Dusty would be drooling, dude.

The Reds can keep Harang.

Who cares what Dusty wants? Dusty isn't the GM. Plus, no GM trades either their number #1 or #2 starter, whichever Harang might be considered, within the division. Especially when Harang is signed for such an affordable salary.

I think we all know that, Natural, but it's always fun to rip on Dusty. I'm sure the Reds feel they are a year away from contention and are not about to trade away their only reliable pitcher who's not under the age of 16, especially to a division rival.

I'm a Reds fan and I hate Dusty more than anyone. I wasn't referring to your comment, but to "cubs land"s above you. And I'd put Volquez in that reliable category along with Harang wouldn't you? :-)

As a Cubs fan, I have to say congrats to the Brewers fans here, you got a good pitcher. I can't wish you luck though...

Gonna be a fun race this year in the central. I can't wait to see if Hendry comes back with anything and what the Cards do, being as close as they are as well. Seems to me they should be packaging Duncan and Brian Anderson in a trade to see if they can get a real middle infielder.

J-Money,
I will bet the last part of your name that GMs trade their aces and #2 guys. Harden and Blanton from Oakland are both on the block. CC just got traded today he was the the ace of the tribe. So I don't know where your comin from where GMs don't trade their 2 best pitchers. Lets just hope that Cubs do trade for Harden from Oakland in a deal that will not include Gallagher.

I know if Forlife61 sees this he's going to comment back to what I said and make me look dumb because thats what he tried to do last time.

Anyone know a deal without Gallagher that would land the Cubs Harden?

i am not sure about a deal, but i hope pie is in it. I wouldnt be to sad to see Eric Patterson heading out too. Murton it could be your time to go somewhere where you will play. I hope they just keep Gallagher and Marshall

God I hate Cubs fans. I guess ignorance really is bliss.

If its true what Haudricourt is reporting, the brewers got an absolute STEAL. Zach Jackson had no place in milwaukee, and Rob Bryson isnt good. If we can keep Taylor Green, I will be THRILLED.

Why do you hate cubs fans? Trust me when i go to a cubs/brewers game the brewers fans make themselves look like IDIOTS. TheNatural answer why you hate cubs fans?

"As a Cubs fan, I have to say congrats to the Brewers fans here, you got a good pitcher. I can't wish you luck though...

Gonna be a fun race this year in the central. I can't wait to see if Hendry comes back with anything and what the Cards do, being as close as they are as well. Seems to me they should be packaging Duncan and Brian Anderson in a trade to see if they can get a real middle infielder."

Finally, a voice of reason.

"I know if Forlife61 sees this he's going to comment back to what I said and make me look dumb because thats what he tried to do last time."

Trust me guy, you dont need me to make you look silly...you do a fine enough job on your own. What no Rich Hill, Colvin, Cedeno for Harden yet?

" What no Rich Hill, Colvin, Cedeno for Harden yet?"
Must not forlife61. You got your guy so be happy. But dont be to happy again all you have is the WC...face it the cubs are good

who ever said that they Cubs will choke cuz they cant win on the road i have to say this, you are stupid. Cubs have one less win on the raod than the brewers. Brewers are 21-26 and the cubs are 20-26. Who ever said that you are so stupid. Must be a brewers fan.

Glover28 You made yourself sound stupid when you said the cubs are going to choke because they cant win on the road. Buddy brewers are 21-26 and the cubs are 20-26. Your stupid, must be a brewers fan, who knew? Stupid

Ok Brewers lose 2 pitchers next season, and they will both be Type A free agents, which means I believe they get 4 highish picks i next years draft? On top of their picks they already have, pretty nice way to restock the system. Someone mentioned AJ as well? Hey maybe add acouple more big picks possibly. 8 picks or so in the first 2 rounds anyone?

Knowing Jim Hendry instead of going after A.J. Burnet he is going to overpay for a guy like Randy Wolf who has had an awful season this year.

Also does anyone know of any other available starters other than those two?

I heard that Matt Murton could get traded to the Rays, Andy Sonastine maybe? (not enough for Rays?) They should do a 3 team deal involving the Cubs, Rockies, and Rays.

Just a thought on top of that you make your playoff run this year. In the offseason you lose 3 pitchers, get 8 toop picks total "maybe" and trade Prince to someone like the yanks and try to get a Hughes and Kennedy type package. Then put Gamel at 1st, which gives you a young very high upside team. And also loads of cap space for some other possible changes.

cubs land, shut the hell up. You are the definition of a snot nosed arrogant cub fan. You are simply trying to start an argument to hide your own insecurities, you are worried. The cubs magical season may be spiraling down the drain because the brewers got CC. All we can do is wait and see. Shut the hell up, and get a life.

Actually at this point I'd say both are going to make the playoffs. West is a mess, East teams all have too many holes. NL pennant series Cubs vs Brewers?

glover28, you made a comment about the Cubs saying the Cubs are goin to choke on the road. Cubs land was just proving you wrong as in no Brewer fan should be talking about the Cubs on the road because they are about the same. Next time be sure you know what what your talking about before you say it. I've done it before to ask forlife61 he pretty much sinks anyones battleship when he thinks their not right.

sure whatever, dude i was fighting with like every cubs fan in this blog before, and i stopped, but that stupid dumbass cubs land keeps going and going like a stupid bitch. If that kid keeps his mouth shut ill stop ripping on the cubs.

Dev0, there's no salary cap in baseball. And in your scenario, how are the Brewers getting Burnett if they keep Gamel? With Escobar?

"NL pennant series Cubs vs Brewers?"

Now that's one heck of a series.

Glover28 is upset cuz somebody caught him while he was trying to make some off point. Sucks and yes i think it will be a cubs/brewers series. I am not goign to keep mouth shut. Its a free world and i can do whatever i want. THanks tho! Your the one getting upset maybe you jsut know im right. I can talk for many cubs fans as we are not that worrries

please do not cuss in this chat. There might be little kids in here. There really is no need for that...agree?

Escobar or Hardy, Also I know there is no Salary cap, but this free's up money to hand out more long term contracts or bring in some other stuff via Free agency.

However I see the Brewers more then likely wanting to deal Weeks for something, and maybe Move Hardy or Escobar to 2nd?

CC sucked against the Cubs anyway. Did you see his stats on ESPN he had a win against every NLC team except the Cubs. He was 0-1 with a 34. something ERA. I'm not saying CC is bad. (just maybe an off day)but yeah we're really worried. I do think their will be good pitching match upd though.

Can you imagine
Carlos Zambrano and CC Sabathia

Ryan Dempster and Ben Sheets

Ted Lilly and Manny Parra

Sean Gallagher and Yovani Gallardo- even though he's on DL

Jeff Suppan and Jason Marquis

Hopefully cubs can land a Rich Harden or AJ Burnett to make a better pitching match up.

Cubbies2008,
Not sure why you are attacking me, a fellow Cubs fan. I'm assuming that since the A's are 6 games above .500 and 6 back in the AL West as well as only 3.5 out in the wildcard that Billy Beane isn't planning on trading his pitchers. Plus Beane has a history of ludicrous demands for his players. If your statement is true, is Carmona next up on the Indians trading block? All I was saying is that Aaron Cook could come a little cheaper and provide similar production as Harden with less injury risk.

Also, Blanton is the #2 on the A's?? His 5-11 record with a 4.76 era belies that statement. In fact, you could probably make a case that Duchscherer is more valuable right now than Harden. I think I'd take Eveland and Smith too before I'd take Blanton.

Not sure what the point of your response was, but please fill me in.

Cubs/Cardinals rivalry or Cubs/Brewers rivalry?
Looking at the myriad of relentless comments back and forth here, I just might have to go Cubs/Brewers. Let the border battle begin! Miller Park South or Wrigley Field North?

congrats to brewer fans for getting cc ... with that being said im ready for it to be over now all you have heard over the last month or so is cc this and cc that now hopefully this ends all the cc talk and other trades can happen and get some publicity

This is a better rivalry then Cus/cards by far now. Plus how close the two towns are..priceless FUN!

Does anyone else think C.C. could be flipped for Major League talent in a few weeks? They won't resign him anyway.

On a somewhat tangential note, I'm tired of people who question the Cubs supposed weakness that is their inability to win on the road. A team you may have heard of called the Boston Red Sox, who happen to be the defending World Series champs (makes me sick to say that), are 21-29 on the road. Haven't heard anyone question their playoff worthiness or readiness. Just throwing that out there.

Why do Cubs fans feel the need to make this topic into Cubs chat?

Umm, because the Brewers have just acquired the Cy Young winner from last year and definitely one of the best pitchers in baseball and this will force the Cubs hand into acquiring a solid starting pitcher. If the Cubs intend to comfortably win the NL central, then the Sabathia trade has serious implications for them.

There's definitely a logical connection.

100% agree with J-money. The cubs needed a SP before this trade. But they would be okay if they didnt or if they traded for a Wolf or what not. But with this trade now the cubs need to get a big name that could be a ace or a #2. So i think the names are forced in from a Wolf to a Burnett, Harden, Cook, maybe even a Matt Cain. The Cubs need to get a big name now!

Man, Cubs fans are so annoying, lol. Never seen such bitter fans in my life. All the sudden no cubs fans wanted CC or wanted to give up the farm for him... I bet if we search the Cubs board we'll see a thousand posts from a week ago from fans willing to give up anything for him, lol.

Cubs prospects. LOL!