Cee Cee, CC, or C.C? I Don't Know, but Here's What I Think

Reprinted with permission from Cubbie Nation - Notes From the Front Office

I've sometimes had to remind myself over the last few months that as a blogger, I've something of an obligation to comment on matters that I would have normally preferred not to get into a debate over. The Brewers trading for CC Sabathia definitely counts as one of those things.

Don't get me wrong, it's huge. And if I were a Brewers fan, I'd probably be jumping for joy. The Brewers went out and signed what is likely to be the best available trade target this summer, with little to no hesitation.

He'll give them a lefty-righty combination that will surely give teams trouble all summer long. And management gets a rating and a gate boost that will probably pay for CC's salary for the remainder of the season. In short, I love it from all angles. 

Now let me share with you the rub. Over the course of less than half a season, even a great starting pitcher like CC is going to be good for 2-3 more wins?

Now in my mind, this definitely boosts their wild-card credentials, and gives them a decent shot at the division. And if they can get in the playoffs, the Brewers could make a serious run. But this is coupled with the fact that so far, Milwaukee has really done nothing to address their big problems.

Seth McClung in the pen may help, but managerial quality, inconsistent bullpen, and sub-par defense haven't gone away as issues. I hope—yes, as a baseball fan in general, I really do—that there are still some moves for them to make.

No fans should have to endure a streak this long without a playoff appearance. But until that happens, or they at least tie the Cubs in the standings, can I ask all of my Brewer fan friends to stop e-mailing me?

And as for the Cubs, let me just say that no counter-move is required. Yet. Now Chris DeLuca at the Sun-Times might disagree, citing Cubs management interest in Rich Harden. So does Jay Mariotti.

I've been in Chicago for a long time, and it sounds like misinformation to me. Rich Harden is fools gold. Most in baseball know it, and I'm left to wonder if either Chris is exaggerating that story, or it was fed to him to help drive down the price on a real Hendry target.

Either way, the names on the market so far: Harden, Burnett, Wolf, and perhaps Maddux, are not at all inspiring. If some real pitching upgrades should become available, or if the price drops considerably on these, great, let's get in the mix.

Past that, it looks like what's really needed is a middle reliever that Lou Piniella trusts enough to give the damn ball to, and a middle infielder to bring off the bench; versatile, offensively productive, and without the Cedeno-like foibles.

If Jim has Toronto on the phone, I'd be more interested in how to get Marco Scutaro here than A.J. Burnett. But that's my opinion.