Indians or Brewers: Who Got the Better Deal?

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

As the All Star game approaches, other things also have come up in baseball. One of those things is something that everybody loves to watch: the trade deadline.

During the trade deadline, GMs all across baseball decide weather or not their team has a chance of making it to the playoffs. If the GM or owner thinks they have a legitimate shot of making the offs, they will sometimes go out and get a big name player.

If teams think that their chances of making the playoffs aren't very good, they will sometimes do away with their starts and send them to other teams.

I don't think that I'm the only one who likes to watch all of this unfold. I think that this shows weather a team is going to throw in the towel or make a push to the last part of the season.

In one instance of this, a team that didn't have a very legitimate chance of making it to the playoffs parted ways with one of their big aces. The Cleveland Indians sent their struggling big lefty, CC Sabathia, to the Brewers for some prospects; one of these prospects being big slugging Matt LaPorta.

When CC was traded to the Brewers, he wasn't pitching all that well. He had six wins with eight losses in 18 starts, only throwing three complete games. The Indians thought that it was time to part ways, not only because he was struggling, but his contract was also due at the end of the year and he wanted more than the Indians wanted to pay.

As soon as CC got to Milwaukee, he was received with open arms. Not only did everybody like him, he was throwing well. CC won 11 games for Milwaukee, only losing two and having four "no decision" games. Sabathia threw an amazing seven complete games, more than he had done any other full year in Cleveland, or his half year in Milwaukee. 

CC put Milwaukee back on the baseball map; not to give CC all of the credit, they had Braun, Fielder, and some more elements that clicked at the right time.

The Brewers made the playoffs for the first time since 1982, the year they played the Cardinals in the world series.

The Brewers had to play the Phillies in the playoffs. The Crew lost and the Phillies went on to win the World Series. After that CC left the Brewers and signed with the Bankees.

So, how did the Indians fare with their pick up? LaPorta came up in September and had some moments, but he isn't producing all that well. But, he is still young and the Brewers had him for a while; he has to be good.

So, looking back on the trade, I'd have to say the Brewers got the better of the trade. They went on to the playoffs and now are still contenders this year.

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