Brewers Offer LaPorta For Sabathia

Taylor Green seems alright, I prefer a Matt Gamel if the guy is gonna struggle at 3rd base. But Laporta "if offered" is the top guy. Add him with a pitching prospect, and I am sad but excited to let C.C. walk.

Plus he doesn't seem like that much of an upgrade over our prospect Wes Hodges

Taylor Green is actually a fine prospect. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Taylor%20Green&pos=3B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=488919

Hes the 6th ranked prospect in the latest prospect rankings so its not like hes a bum hes just under the radar because our AA team is so amazing. http://www.brewerfan.net/ViewPower50.do

Anyways he's a much better defender than Gamel and has superb plate disclipline. He was originaly drafted as a 2nd basemen which might be his better position pro wise.

I would love to have a second baseman! So Cabrera could play short and we could ship blake and Perralta outta Cleveland!!! Do you think the Brewers would give up Laporta and Green?

I really think the Brewers want to avoid doing a deal that involves LaPorta, Gamel or Jeffress but anything else is possible.

I expect the deal to be more like Taylor Green, Cole Gillespie and a pitcher maybe Carlos Villanueva or Dave Bush if you want immediate help or Zach Braddock if you want someone you can stash away with good potential.

Salome and Lucroy are very possible if you want some catching help but with Martinez and Shoppach I didnt think that matched up that well.

"I really think the Brewers want to avoid doing a deal that involves LaPorta, Gamel or Jeffress but anything else is possible."

Agreed, but it is what it is, no way this deal occurs unless one of the big guns ( i.e Gamel or LaPorta) is in it. No different than the Texeira deal...Salty had to be in it or it was a no deal.

The Texeira deal wasnt a rental. There was still a year left on that contract so this isnt the same situation.

If the Indians cant sign CC then CC has the value of about 14 or 15 starts and 2 high draft picks. The offer the Brewers would provide would give them equal value without having to give up Gamel, Laporta, or Jeffress because our farm system is that loaded with hitting talent.

When the Brewers tried one last time to sign Carlos Lee before the deadline a couple years ago they had the choice to ship him out or ride him out and take 2 high draft picks. We chose that we wanted to stay in the race so Carlos was traded for Francisco Cordero, Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix and the Brewers still had to give up Nelson Cruz along with Lee to make the deal go down. So this offer isnt that much different than that one. Its actually better because they would get 3 future starters they could pluck into their lineup for the next 6 years that have a better chance of succeeding than the crapshoot draft picks can be.

You think some team out there won't easily trounce a deal that doesn't include one of those three? Anyway, I see a deal with LaPorta, Green and a couple back stage guys doing it on both sides. Sabathia might be a rental but he's still by far the best pitcher on the market. LaPorta was drafted exactly for this purpose.

Tim,

Curiosity leads me to ask why you reference BaseballCube instead of Baseball-Reference. Not a big deal, but BaseballCube sometimes takes a while to update their minor-league player info. Case in point, the Taylor Green page has him listed at 230 AB on the year ~ Baseball-Reference shows a more updated 287…

As far as Tyler Green, the plate discipline is great, and he has shown some nice power. Fairly young and at the lower levels still, but fairly impressive looking results and said to be an easy to like all-out effort type. Actually, quickly looking it sounds as if he might be kind of similar to Hafner ~ I’ll have to read up on him a bit more, sounds interesting…

don't look now dark but Vitters is heating up in low A

Granted the Brewers could easily blow away any Cubs offer if they desired but I just find it interesting, they could be in play now.

"don't look now dark but Vitters is heating up in low A

Granted the Brewers could easily blow away any Cubs offer if they desired but I just find it interesting, they could be in play now."

Yeah, I still dont think so. Despite the collapse this year, the Indians will still have a solid core of Carmona,Lee,Sizemore, Martinez, etc. back next year to be competitive. Vitters is still years away, just dont think they want to wait for him when they can get get a Gamel or LaPorta to help next year. They will still be in a "win-now" mode and Vitters wont help them in '09, probably not until '10.

"You think some team out there won't easily trounce a deal that doesn't include one of those three? Anyway, I see a deal with LaPorta, Green and a couple back stage guys doing it on both sides. Sabathia might be a rental but he's still by far the best pitcher on the market. LaPorta was drafted exactly for this purpose.

but especially

"LaPorta was drafted exactly for this purpose."

Yeah, Laporta was drafted for this purpose LAST YEAR. Guess what. Its not still that same situation. The farm system has got so much deeper since that time, and the brewers dont want to trade him. There is PLENTY of other talent in our minor league system to pry CC loose.

How about a deal like this

Taylor Green
Cole Gillespie
Angel Salome
Zach Jackson?

for

CC

The Indians are going to want one sure fire, knockout guy. Those are good prospects but not the kind you're sure are going to project in the majors. The deal doesn't get done without LaPorta or Gamel IMO, or at least Escobar and some other good ones.

I was looking for the article, but it was basically quoted saying that the brewers will not trade laporta so mat gamel would be the only one of the two we would offer...but it's not like Melvin would tip his hand of what he would offer...by saying laporta is an untouchable, offering him later could help get CC for less

Here's my take...

What are the Brewers chances of making the playoffs this year currently constructed? how about the championship?

Now what are the Brewers chances with CC Sabathia on the roster?

To me, the chance goes up significantly, and with rumors of Fielder's departure and Sheets as sure as gone, the chances of a title for the Brew Crew may not be good for the next few years without Sabathia. That's why I think they will consider Gamel or LaPorta.

Rotoworld.com is now reporting that the brewers have offered Laporta in a CC deal.

http://rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=242930&id=3149

"Rotoworld.com is now reporting that the brewers have offered Laporta in a CC deal."

If that is the case, its gonna get down. I know nothing is a guarantee, but he or Gamel is that "centerpiece" needed. Brewers shouldnt fret one bit..CC helps you win NOW. If he does walk, you will get 2 comp. picks to reload. Olney was on ESPN last night and siad if that does occur the Crew will have 5 of the top 32 picks in the draft next year, which from early reports is suppose to be much better than the '08 draft. The way Melvin handles his business, the Crew should be ecstatic about that.

But no way to Escobar!! No! Hes the SS of the future.

I remember when Carlos Gomez and Phil Humber were untouchable. Lastings Milledge too. Forlife, I hear you on Escobar, but don't you think that Melvin can do some sick things with 5 picks in the first 30 something? That, coupled with not losing anything from the current ML roster, and the fact that this could, and probably does make the Crew the class of the NL would mighty tempting to me if I were a Brewer fan. To be fair though, they are not my prospects that I have tracked through the minors and gotten attached too, so it is easier for me to condone a move like this.

I use Baseball Cube over Baseball Reference because Cube puts minor league and Major League stats together on one page. I also like the way the Cube lays out K/9 and other /9's for pitchers right at the end.

FanGraphs is making a run though...I am liking them.

If the rumors are true, the Cubs really cant match an offer of Laporta and Escobar...

If Mil wants a bullpen arm to balabce it out it would kill 2 birds with one stone.

If im Cleveland, i would be hammering out that deal quick before Mil changes their mind.

"If the rumors are true, the Cubs really cant match an offer of Laporta and Escobar..."

Even if it was a either or for Escobar/Laporta, the cubs still dont have a chance, not if they are like the cubs fans on this board offering Hill, Cedeno, Murton, LOL!

"Forlife, I hear you on Escobar, but don't you think that Melvin can do some sick things with 5 picks in the first 30 something?"

No doubt, but i just dont think you give (2) big time prospects for CC. Would I give 1 of them?? Heck yeah, you have to for this to happen, but not both. And no doubt Melvin has the track record of drafting well, he'll,be fine in the '09 draft. But again, i give them 1 stud, but not both. I'd give them JJ while his bat is hot and his stock is high, he's not gonna stay in Milwaukee long term anyways.

Thats a good idea. I wonder if Laporta and Hardy get it done. Then you can move Hall back to SS or go outside the organization for Eckstein or something. Is Escobar ready right now?

Please Melvin DO NOT trade LaPorta, he is going to replace Fielder and LaPorta could be the next Pujols.

LaPorta for CC with some other stuff involved is fine by me. I want to win now. LaPorta is blocked, 1b is the easiest position to replace.

Did someone say Cubs prospects? LOL! LOL!

LaPorta for CC
Hardy for AJ Burnett

call up A Escobar

Win World Series!

BeanoCook,
They would not trade for two rental starters while giving up both Hardy and Laporta. I think people are getting ahead of themselves when they say that they wouldn't swap CC for Laporta. Laporta has a HUGE bat. If you throw Escobar in the deal, the Indians would have to give up someone like Beau Mills or Neck Weglarz along with CC.

sorry, Nick Weglarz.

Josh Vitters could get it done for the Cubs I think. Maybe Jose Ceda also.

"Please Melvin DO NOT trade LaPorta, he is going to replace Fielder and LaPorta could be the next Pujols."

Come on guy, leave that silly hyperbole to cubs fans. LaPorta is gonna be a 30/90 stud, but hes not gonna be Pujols. Read the scouting report on him, and everything says he will be a 30/90 but a guy who will probably hit between .275-.290. Outstanding? You bet. Pujols like? Uh, no. Pujols is from another planet, no comparison.

beane must be loving this...this drives up the price for harden who are still contending so they dont have to trade him yet. or even blanton who needs to get going

TIM,
any possibilty the Giants trade Tim Linceum for Prince Fielder straight up? Didnt they offer him for Alex Rios 6 months ago?

wouldn't the Brewers rather keep Laporta and get AJ Burnett for just Alcides Escobar or JJ hardy (with stuff thrown in from Jays end, even Eckstein).

I mean, Burnett is still a pretty good pitcher, especially in the NL, and the Brewers can't affford to sign CC anyway.

If LaPorta is in the deal then this sweepstakes is over. Nobody is gonna offer a better prospect than LaPorta. The guy is a near-MLB middle of the order bat who's capable of playing a good first base or an adequate left field.

"Josh Vitters could get it done for the Cubs I think. Maybe Jose Ceda also."

Sadly, not anymore. If the Brewers are offering LaPorta and filler, then I have a feeling that'll defeat any sort of Vitters/Ceda/Veal offer. The Indians have stated many a time that they're looking for young middle of the order bat that'll be able to help the team contend in '09. Ahem, Matt LaPorta. Vitters could end up being very special, but he's still two years away, and none of the prospects the Cubs have can come even close to the value of LaPorta.

I think that now its time for the Cubs to start looking at Harden and Burnett as their more realistic options. If the Brewers are willing to give up LaPorta to get Sabathia, then chasing him will probably end up being a waste of time.

The Cubs don't have a shot if the Brewers are offering LaPorta and then some. However, I'm not all that upset about it. Should make the NL Central race tighter, but at least the Brew Crew have to sacrifice a very, very good player.

And as for the people saying LaPorta couldn't be the next Pujols, do you have any idea where Pujols was drafted? He came out of nowhere, so who knows with Laporta

I think the Cubs are still in this, well I hope anyway. But our prospects alone won't get the deal done. The Cubs would have to get another team invovled. We have the pitching prospects, not the offensive prospects. But now if it is true with LaPorta it will be a very hard deal to beat.

This is so stupid, why dont we offer gamel instead of laporta, all sorts of guys have great seasons in the minors, and end up to be nothing. Im not saying that this will happen to gamel, and he could end up being a GREAT player, but I just think that Laporta will end up being better.

2nd of asll, the brewers shouldf keep both of them. We need yto tradea boatload of out lower talent prospects. Aka Michael Brntley, Cole Gillespie, Lorenzo Cain, none of these guys are going to play in milwaukee anyways. If we save laporta, and trade away these three along with others, we have the best outfield in the majors. Hands down. LF Braun, CF Hart, and RF Laporta, nobody can touch that offensively.

The only think that would make me happy if this deal went down is if the brewers sign CC, not very likely.

Oh yeah and cubs fans, stop invading these blogs, you know that your farm system sucks, and you just try and make people think your scrubs are half decent. Even if you trade your whole farm system, you cant match an offer with laporta in it.

Tim,
Ahh Yes, FanGraph is a fantastic site; but they too frustrate me sometimes by not including all a players minor-league stops ~ they eliminate those which the player didn’t spend 1/4 a season or more from what I can tell… That said though, having all the circulations available on one page comes in quite handy… I was also hoping MinorLeagueSplits would fix some problems they had, but a recent update has left the site with no information prior to this year, and I’ve found some of their info to be incorrect… Seems I will never be able to get completely away from having 2-pages of Baseball-Reference (one for majors, one for minors) and an Excel-Program pre-designed to do the calculations for me…

Scribble,
Vitters is 18, and has only about 125 ABs above the HS level. He’s more likely to be 4-5 years away still even, and 2 years might be asking a bit much… That’s one of the many things Indians fans kept trying to explain to Cubs Fans, that he wouldn’t be as desirable to the club because of that ~ their window will be closing by the time he starts to come up…

Re: the Article,
LaPorta huh? If things are starting to get serious, I wonder if the Dodgers will soon jump in with LaRoche and a pitcher offer…

glover28,
There is no need to get angry about it. I'm a Cubs fan and already admitted that I thought they were out...the only way they stay in this is to offer a deal with Marmol, Gallagher, and maybe even Vitters as well, something that would really cripple their future. I'm happy to let the Brew Crew have him if they are really going to give up LaPorta and then some...

I've said from the beginning that if a guy like Laporta is in the deal, the Cubs are out. I still believe that to be the case.

I'm really not too worried about the Brewers getting CC, if that is indeed what happens. There is no way CC signs with Milwaukee in the offseason--none, zip, nada. So the Brewers give up their best prospect and get 2 months of CC to finish 3rd in the Central, OK.

Then, CC gets that 2-month taste of NL baseball, swinging a bat 3 times a game, and he's as good as ours. Cubs will sign him to a mega-deal in the offseason and voila--Cubs crummy minor league system is a non-issue.

I think I'd rather the Cubs go after Fuentes given Marmol's recent struggles, anyways. Wellington Castillo and Jose Ceda?

Giants did not offer Lincecum for Rios. I think the Jays were the ones making the offer.

Jonny,

I'm with you about Fuentes. If our starters don't hold it'd be nice to have another BP arm like Fuentes.

And you're also right the Brewers lose CC after the year. So, I don't care if they get him. Maybe do good this year and screw themselves for years to come.

Its funny how cubs fans think the brewers are throwing away their future by trading laporta but at the same time are willing to trade the entire cubs system for the same player.

The brewers can afford to get cc and then let sheets/cc walk. they will be able to restock the system with the extra picks.

Would the Brewers be interested in a power pitcher they could retain for a few years instead of a rental like CC?

If so, Giants should be talking to Melvin about a trade based around Cain and Laporta. Giants could also use Escobar/Hardy and Green too.

Cain isn't as good as CC yet, but he's under team control for at least another 3 years I think, also at a very significant discount. He'd help the Brewers now and in the future.

I also think Ray Durham would be a nice addition as a PH/spot starter to a team like the Brewers for the rest of the year, especially given Rickie Weeks's struggles with making contact.

I agree with nyyfan, the brewers can do sooooo much with 5 of the first 32 picks, not to mention, as of right now, the cubs dont have a farm system to replace their aging players.

But I would still much rather have the brewers trade Gamel, because we have Taylor Green in A+ ball.

aGIANTfan, we'll trade Laporta for Lincecum, not cain, we'll trade a few lower level prospects for cain.

The Cubs are not going to get CC now. I hate to admit it, but Sabathia is as good as gone. The Brewers are going to be tough to beat in the playoffs. (I think it's a no brainer they win the Wild Card) The Cubs should turn their focus to Erik Bedard, AJ Burnett, and Rich Harden. If we can't get them, stack the 'pen with Brian Fuentes. I think if the Cubs offer Gallagher and Vitters for Bedard they will get him. Harden will be hard to get. We don't match up well with Burnett unless we offer Vitters or trade Gallagher for a shortstop like Elvis Andrus or Brent Lillibridge and flip them around for Burnett. I don't want Wolf. He is terrible on the road and the Cubs will make the playoffs without him. He wouldn't help in the playoffs either. Same for Maddux and Washburn.

"The brewers can afford to get cc and then let sheets/cc walk. they will be able to restock the system with the extra picks."

Not if they want to compete in the near future. They need a #1 to #2 pitcher in the rotation.

I'm not sure I would hand the Brewers the wildcard or division if they got him either, although they obviously have a shot at both.

Wolf would be a terrible move by the Cubs. There is no point unless its for Murton straight up.

Harden or Burnett for the Cubs, or go after Fuentes to have a probably the best back end of a bullpen in at least the NL.

Gallardo and Parra will be our 1 and 2 next year if both Sheets and Sabathia walk.

We still have Suppan under contract and it sounds like Maddux to the Brewers is gonna go down according to Buster Olney. So I think we could convince him to come back another year so we would have to fill the last spot of the rotation with McClung/Bush/Villanueva or a longshot Chris Capuano.

Dont be shocked to see the Brewers make a competitive offer to either Sheets or Sabathia though. Mark Attanasio is a totally different owner than the Seligs...

Just my 2 cents:

As far as the Brewers' pitching next year if both Sheets & CC walk (very likely, btw):

I agree that their rotation would not be good as currently constructed, but I firmly believe that Prince will be traded in the offseason for pitching to shore that situation up.

AS it stands now (without Sheets, and, of course, without CC):

Gallardo (coming off a major injury)
Parra
Suppan
Bush
McClung

Not too good.

But, if they can trade Fielder for some pitching (Cain + possibly?), the pitching would be OK.

Gamel goes to 1st and an already pretty darn good system gets 7 of the top 45 picks after having 6 of the top 62 this year.

2009 would be a down year, but things would be looking up from there.

Hardy could also fetch some pitching in the offseason, although not the caliber that Prince would bring. One of Hardy and Escobar is gone this offseason, and given the mancrush that every decision-maker in the Brewers organization showed for Alcides this spring, my money is on Hardy going.

I think the offer right now is LaPorta and Taylor Green, which, IMO, is too much because I think Taylor Green is going to be a very good player.

It does make the Brewers the favorite for the wildcard though, IMO. And, with CC and Sheets plus Suppan & Parra, the pitching looks good once the playoffs begin.

Heres my opinion on the entire situation.

first off for the cc deal, the brewers shouldn't trade laporta, he may be the sexier name, but gamel is putting um much bigger numbers, and btw cleveland has a huge hole at third base. Then we can also give you an outfielder, like Cole Gillespie, who has no future in milwaukee, and was told that. the deal would look like this

Gamel
Gillespie
maybe even Lorenzo Cain

for

CC

------------------------------

Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia will most likeley both test free agency this offseason so the brewers weill get 5 picks in the top 32, which will reload the farm system. Ben Sheets is unhappy about the situation in milwaukee, so he most likely wont return to the brewers, but if the brewers want an honest chance at contending next year as well that give CC a huge long term deal, which would give them the starting 5 of

CC
Gallardo
Parra
Soup
Greg Maddux -for Tony Gwynn Jr.

Then this offseason, we could even trade Prince for a pitcher like Tim Lincecum, or maybe Matt Cain (AND a good prospect).

That would make room for laporta at 1st, escobar at short, and then we have Taylor Green a year and a half from now at 3rd.

1b- laporta
2b- weeks?
ss- escobar
3b- hardy?
lf- braun
rf- hart
cf- brantley?

- if the brewers dont trade prince, we can leave him at first, put hart in center, and then put laporta in right.

How about Prince Fielder for Zack Grienke. The Royals get a big bat. The Brewers get a big arm. A rotation of...

1. Grienke
2. Gallardo
3. Suppan
4. Parra
5. McClung/Bush/Villanueva

Thats a pretty solid rotation. Then they could move Hardy for a center fielder. Play Gamel and Escobar full time at 1B and SS. It is kind of a down year but in '10 when Escobar and Gamel will have their feet wet from '09 and be good palyers the Brewers would have a good lineup again and Parra would be a beter pitcher. They would have a very good team then. So win in '08 and '10. Rebuild in '09.

“We still have Suppan under contract and it sounds like Maddux to the Brewers is gonna go down according to Buster Olney. So I think we could convince him to come back another year…”

…really? Do you know what the deal might include? Also, do you really feel Maddux will pitch again next year?

"Its funny how cubs fans think the brewers are throwing away their future by trading laporta but at the same time are willing to trade the entire cubs system for the same player."

...I find it amusing that they all stopped by just to say that, and let us know that they dont really care...

"Not if they want to compete in the near future. They need a #1 to #2 pitcher in the rotation."

You have comletely igonored the fact that they will still have Gallardo and Parra at the top to go with Suppan. Not a world beater top-3 but solid. You have also ignored the fact that they will have over $30 mil to play with as its almost a lock that Sheets ($12mil), Gagne($10mil) and Cameron($10mil) will be off the books. That is some decent change to go out and get a solid pitcher and reliever to add to your rotation. Not a CC, but still a quality pitcher. The Crew will be competitive for years to come, take it to the bank.

"…really? Do you know what the deal might include? Also, do you really feel Maddux will pitch again next year?"

I gotta believe the deal will be centered around Tony Gwynn Jr. Gwynn would give the fans in SD a reason to come to the games for the nostalga factor alone not to mention hes an improvement over the junk they have in CF now and theyd have control of him through 2010 I believe. Maddux gets reunited with his brother Mike and Ned Yost who was a coach with the Braves during the early 90s. I could see the Brewers sending a low A ball pitcher in return as well.

And Ya I think Maddux would stick around considering he'd be pitching for a playoff contender again not to mention the previous reasons I listed before.

The idea that Prince is going to land a top two starter after this year is a bit far fetched.

He's going to be very expensive in arbitration, remains a defensive liability, and is going to be competing against Textiera in free agency from a suitors' point of view (a comparison that he undoubtedly comes out on the short end of the stick on).

I think you can make a good argument that, to most teams, a LaPorta type player has more value due to his lack of service time and relative cost.

So what do we think the chance of Laporta coming to Cleveland is after this rumor? I am saying 70%.

"The idea that Prince is going to land a top two starter after this year is a bit far fetched."

Your crazy, prince is a solid, not gold glove, but solid major league 1st baseman. Teams do not at all look at his defense, they look at his bat. If he goes to the AL, he will play DH, so that wont even matter. The other thing is, he is 24 years old, and already has near 100 homers, if not more. Prince's value is on the roof. The brewers will definitely get a top of the rotation guy for him, someone like Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, or potentially even Tim Lincecum.

and like forlife said above, the team will have 32 million to play with in free agency, even though there arent many great free agens out there this season. The team can stash that away and save it to resign players like hart.

You're nuts if you think the Giants will give up Lincecum. That man is the future of the Giants, no way he moves. Maybe a Greinke, maybe a Cain...but chances are if they trade Fielder it will be to a larger market team, since he is arbitration eligible and will command somewhere near or above Howard's money. Or, since the Brewers do have so much cash coming off the books they'll re-up him and buy out his arb years plus one of FA.

"prince is a solid, not gold glove, but solid major league 1st baseman. Teams do not at all look at his defense, they look at his bat. If he goes to the AL, he will play DH"

If he's as solid as you say, why would he play DH?

"...I find it amusing that they all stopped by just to say that, and let us know that they dont really care..."

Isn't that hilarious? For the last month ALL the Tribe fans have told ALL the Cubs fans we weren't interested in their package, yet they keep telling us we should be and that's the best package we would get. At this point it's fairly obvious they were wrong.

Rosenthal's reporting the Dodgers' pursuit of CC as well:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8313060/Dodgers-join-Brewers-in-pursuit-of-Sabathia

Hey, I'm a Cub fan, but whoever was dissing Prince in one of the above posts is a buffoon. Not worth a #2 pitcher, are you kidding? I'd take Prince's bat over D-Lee for example, right now, and not think twice about it. And this is a NL discussion.

How about the AL? Prince is passable as a 1B, but he was BORN to be a DH. Ortiz-quality DH for any AL team. Were I an AL GM, I'd trade guys like Santana, or Greinke, or Danks, or Wang for Prince, AND include a lesser role player or prospect.

-------------------------

Different Cubs-centric topic addressed earlier: yes, I really think while everyone is focussed on CC, Harden, Burnett et al., the Cubs should get in like a laser beam on Fuentes, it would be a really smart move for Hendry. The question is, what gets him to Chicago? I proposed Castillo and Colvin before, maybe alternatively, Sean Marshall and Jose Ceda?

Hey everybody, I'm just gonna add my two cents into this.
I was reading before, and for one there is no way in heck the Brewers are trading Hardy, especially right now. This guy, Braun, Weeks, Fielder, and Hart are the future of this team, so ixnay on the Hardy trade. For two, Fielder isn't leaving, yes his agent is freakin Scott Boras whose clients want all the money possible, but think about it.... would Prince really want to leave the only team system he's ever known, let alone his best friend, Weeks. I think he'll settle for less money to stay with the up and coming Brewers. Now, I think there is something to be said about the LaPorta for CC trade... YOU'RE CRAZY! Lol... there is no way Melving is getting rid of LaPorta, if anyone it'll be Green, Escobar, and Zach Jackson, and probably some of the many draft picks the Crew will have in 09. Therefore, Indians get young players they need, players who will be up in the majors next year, and the Brewers get the ace they need to compete for the WS championship. And who's saying CC wants lots of dollars for next year? Melvin and Attanasio (Brewers owner for those who don't know) easily gave Gagne 10 million for one year (a RENT A PLAYER), whose to say CC won't sign here next year? Especially if he can help em compete for the championship this year? We'll see... it's gonna be one heck of a July

Gocrew. I think you should change your usename to HOMER simpson. Or Len BIAS.

GoCrew, myself and Neal Huntington would like to thank you for reminding us that we are allowed to trade draft picks. Now the Bucs are also in the CC race!

Pittsburgh Pirates purpose:
Neil Walker
John VanBenSuckHimself
Jose Bautista
Rounds 1 through 12 draft picks in next year's draft
And the rights to Ryan Vogelsong

Cleveland gives up:
Grady Sizemore
CC Sabathia
Victor Martinez

btw...i predict it's gonna be a BORING July as far as blockbusters go...
and the rights to

Was that Bucs trade serious? We cannot draft, rounds 1-12 would mean nothing but busts, plus that would take atleast 5 years to develop...take that trade to san diego for gred maddux or something.

I thought glover28 was in la-la land, and then I read GoCrew! (Now that the Brewers have offered LaPorta and everyone thinks CC's going there, we don't have to give up LaPorta now! It's a done deal!)

lower case zach: Don't count your chickens...

Nuggy: "nostalgia factors" (re: Tony Gwynn Jr. to San Diego), and "reunions" (re: Maddux with brother and ex-coach-wow!) don't win baseball games!

Heavens, most baseball fans aren't particularly bright.

Currently, Prince has the 7th best OPS in the NL. Hardly the type of distinction that gets you a top-2 starter, especially considering his defensive inadequacies and cost going forward.

Statistically speaking, he's much more likely to play to the level of his 2006 and 2008 (to date) seasons rather then repeat his 2007 one.

Now, I'm not saying he's a bad player, but its just not the type of player you're going to get multiple years of a team controlled top-2 starter for. If the Giants really are hell bent on picking up a 1B, bid over the odds on Textiera (its not like Fielder's going to be cheap himself) and save yourself Cain, not that I think they'd do the deal regardless.

There aren't a lot of avaliable top 2 caliber starters out there under team control. In fact the only one avaliable this year, Harden, has a injury history that is quite disconcerting.

If the Brewers really do want a top tier pitcher, why not just resign Sheets? Thats the piece I don't understand.

But, I repeat, chances are Prince is going to end up a career slightly above average offensive 1B (.850 OPS range) who clogs the basepaths and is subpar defensively. People need to come to terms that this type of player is never going to see massive returns.

7th best 1B OPS...that changes things quite a bit...

Fielder is 24 YO and already one of the better hitters in the game. Despite that, people question if he could be worth a SP2 type? Really? I mean, it doesnt matter because its most likely never going to happen anyway, but if a team has an excess of Pitchers and another team doesnt need Fielder then a SP2 for Fielder is probably about as fair a deal as you can make...

Also, did I just see someone claim Ethier to be better than LaPorta? Come on… Even if LaPorta doesn’t meet his full potential, Ethier is a rather Avg hitter and not that hard to replace off the FA market… And that’s no disrespect to Andre, I actually love the kid for what he is (cheap, solid production) ~ but come on…

Lastly, did I see that CubsDieTroll again imply that the Cubs are somehow still likely get this done? The only Cubs/Sabathia rumors we have even heard recently are rumors saying they don’t have the pieces and they are looking elseware, yet you still want to stand behind the “Cubs will get it done”/”Come back August 1st” stance? Shoot, even if the Cubs do somehow end up with Sabathia, it doesn’t take the ignorance away from such a statement today…

The best the Cubs can probably do in the Sabathia sweepstakes is drive the price up a bit for the Brewers. But there is no package the Cubs can put together that the Brewers can't trump simply by offering LaPorta. The Cubs have no one with that high of a ceiling and also that close to the majors. The Cubs may go the route of a lefty pitcher like Wolf or less likely, Bedard. I'd go for Burnett if they can get him cheap but if we want 5-6 innings from a hard thrower with some command issues then we might as well keep Gallagher there. At any rate, the acquisition of another starter means the Cubs can simultaneously give the bullpen a boost by moving Gallagher and Marshall there for the rest of the year.