End of an Era

With the news of Sunday night's trade, the CC Sabathia era in Cleveland has officially come to an end.  The Tribe's former ace has been all but gone from NE Ohio since early 2008 when contract renegotiations stalled and CC refused to continue negotiations during the 2008 regular season.  Since the Indians began to slide out of playoff contention in June, the rumors have been flying as to the possible destinations of the reigning Cy Young award winner.  Last week the whispers had the Brewers as the front runners in the CC sweepstakes and today it is official Sabathia is a Brewer.  I have read numerous articles and accounts today about the trade and have, somehow, completely avoided ESPN's coverage of the deal.  

From all I have read regarding the players involved in completing the deal and from the "experts" regarding the deal, I have to say that Milwaukee is much better for the wear here.  We all know by now that Matt LaPorta a 1B from the University of Florida that was the 7th overall pick of the 2007 draft is the headliner in this deal for the Indians.  Every source I have found explains LaPorta a huge bat that should be ready by next season to play in Cleveland.  He currently plays in the OF, but is more than likely to move to 1B it appears.  As far as I can see LaPorta should be a mainstay in he Indians lineup for next decade or so, but beyond that I still have a major problem with this marquee prospect anchoring this trade.  My qualms come down to this, LaPorta is not overly athletic or adept with the glove.  I see him as yet another 1B/DH to pair with Vic, Pronk, Beau Mills, and Garko in the Indians system.  I see no reason to continue stockpiling these types of players are there are really only 2 or 3 spots in the lineup for these 5 guys who are all likely to compete for playing time in 2009.  Again, don't get me wrong LaPorta has every chance to be a great Major Leaguer, but I can't help but be annoyed by the Indians' void of defense, versatility, and sheer lack of athleticism.  

The rest of the deal includes AAA SP Zach Jackson, A RP Rob Bryson and a ptnl.  As for Jackson, although he was a first round pick in 2004, he has certainly not lived up to expectations and is beginning to age as he will 26 not too long into the 2009 campaign.  While I am not saying that a 26 year old is washed up, but the odds are not in his favor to contribute to the Indians if he gets much older than that in the minors.  He was a throw-in in a deal with the Blue Jays that involved Lyle Overbay 1B and Dave Bush SP in 2005 and has done next to nothing to impress since.  This season Jackson has an era up near 8 in nearly 60 innings of work.  

Bryson on the other hand looks to be another integral part of this deal.  From some accounts it looks as though Bryson has what it takes to become a ML closer, but it may take a while.  At only 20 years old and playing in low A currently, Bryson's raw power and stuff see to be a few years off.  Now while the Tribe is in desperate need of a closer, it seems to me that Adam Miller is a more advanced and much more viable long term option than Bryson who is simply a projection at this point.  

The final player in the deal has been rumored to be numerous players and most reports commit to A 3B Taylor Green.  Green is another play that not too much is known about and although he plays a current position of need, the fact is that by the time he would be ready for the ML, around 3 years, a player like Wes Hodges is likely to have taken this starting role.  

Now that I have dissected the deal I would like to look at it as a whole just one more time.  By dealing a player of CC's caliber the Indians should have been able to get a package that included at least one player, more likely 2, who are ML ready and fill am immediate need.  To me this would be a complete player a 2B or 3B and/or a closer type RP.  While although I realize that times change and a players value is always different when compared to similar trades involving aces, the Indians got considerably less utility in this deal than they could.  However, this is not to say that the deal is bad or useless, and only time will tell with regard to this trade.  It will be interesting to see if the Tribe are contenders again in 2009 and whether or not the "firesale" in Cleveland is for real...

His last request has now been included, "no more periods please"