MLB Rumor Wire: C.C. Sabathia To the Brewers?

The groundwork appears to be laid for a trade of C.C. Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee drafted Matt LaPorta with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 draft, and he appears to be the centerpiece of this possible trade. The Brewers would hate to part with him, but they want to win now.

Sabathia has one year left on his contract, so if he is traded to Milwaukee and chooses to leave after this season, the Brewers would get two draft picks.

Cleveland wants to trade Sabathia for that same reason. They want some talent in return, and this offer from Milwaukee may already be better than anything else.

The Indians may choose to demand both LaPorta and AA shortstop Alcides Escobar in a potential deal, despite the fact that it has been said that Milwaukee would never offer those two together.

If that's the case, Milwaukee is expected to demand another player in addition to Sabathia. Cleveland sounds ecstatic right now at the prospect of gaining both LaPorta and Escobar, so they would probably pitch somebody else into the deal.

The Brewers haven't reached postseason play for 26 years. This year, with Ben Sheets as their ace, they want to change that. Sheets will almost certainly opt for free agency after this season is over.

With this possible trade with Cleveland, Milwaukee's three best pitchers would be Sheets, Sabathia, and Manny Para.

As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explains:

"The Indians badly need power. Center fielder Grady Sizemore leads the AL with 21 home runs, but designated hitter Travis Hafner hit only four before going on the disabled list with a right-shoulder strain on May 30, and catcher Victor Martinez had zero before going on the DL June 12 with a right-elbow injury."

LaPorta has the potential to bring quite a few home runs to the big leagues when he is called up. At age 23, that could be very soon.

So what do you have to say, Cleveland and Milwaukee fans? Is this a good deal for your respective clubs?