Indians, Brewers Agree on Trade: LaPorta, Bryson, Johnson to Indians, Green to be Named

The C.C. Sabathia trade that has been announced includes Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Johnson, and one player to be named, going to the Indians in exchange for Sabathia.

JSB has learned who the player to be named is. Brewers’ 2007 Minor Leauge Player of the Year, Thirdbasemen Taylor Green, will be sent to the Indians on August 16. This news came after speaking with an agency insider.

Green, 21, was selected in the 25th round of the 2005 draft, out of Cypress College (Ca.), and named to the South Atlantic League All-Star team last season. He batted .327 and hit 14 home runs and 86 RBI in 111 games for Single-A West Virginia.

Sabathia is expected to start for the Brewers against the Rockies Tuesday. Green is expected to make the majors in 2010 or 2011.

Green’s agent, Joshua Kusnick, said last night on his blog that Green had not yet been informed about his future.

Taylor has not been informed he has been traded nor has he been informed that he is any part of a pending transaction. What does all that mean? Nothing, because if the Brewers drop the PTBNL bomb anyone can go including Taylor. I know everyone in the game is an adult and I know it’s a business but you would think maybe someone in the entire organization could let Taylor know what his status is instead of letting him just float in the wind.

This could be because, as one Brewer’s blogger who speaks closely with insiders said, “The farm director, Reid Nichols, hasn’t always been as forthright with info as players/agents would like,” or simply because the Indians have no officially decided on Green as the player to be named.

Another possibility includes Michael Brantley, but my agency source says the Indians want Green.

Dodgers Deny Trade-Indians in Last Ditch Effort to Resign

MITCHELL BLATT

Early this week, it was reported by us that Sabathia was in fact getting traded. We have an update from of league source who now says the Indians are going to have to tone down expectations.

They had been asking wildly for players like the Yankees’ Joba Chamberlain and the Dodgers’ Chad Billingsley, both of which offers were quickly denied. Now the best they can hope for are prospects who might be ready next season.

“No way will they pull a Colon deal,” the source said. “Teams value prospects a lot more than six years ago.”

In 2002, the Indians were able to trade Bartolo Colon for Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore, and Brandon Phillips, all of whom are now among the elites at their positions.

The top two teams in contention for Sabathia are the Brewers and Cubs, though the Cubs weak farm system will likely hamper them, said the source. The Dodgers, widely discounted, may be a darkhorse if they start winning more in July. Right now, they are 3.5 games behind the Diamondbacks for first in the NL West, though they have a losing record of 36-42.

Other teams also interested are the Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox, though they are probably all long shots. If the Sox would be willing to part with pitcher Justin Materson, they might be able to get Sabathia.

Sabathia still has a month in Cleveland, most likely, because most trades do not happen until right at the deadline of July 31, and the Indians are said to be going for last ditch efforts to resign him, but if he’s not resigned in one to two weeks, you can expect him to be gone.

MITCHELL BLATT

C.C. Sabathia will not finish this season in Cleveland. I have confirmed that after speaking to a source close to Sabathia.

Here are the teams he may end up playing for: the Dodgers, Rays, Brewers, Red Sox, Yankees, A’s.

The Dodgers, 3.5 games back in the NL West, would have to deal outfielder Matt Kemp or pitcher Chad Billingsley.

Matt Kemp

7 HR, 43 RBI,
.290

Billingsley
6-7, 95 K, 3.64

The A’s, second in the West, are also a possibility, but not very likely, because, as my source said, “Billy Beane wouldn’t want to trade that much just to rent a player for two months.”

The Brewers, now 6.5 games back and third in the NL Central, might make the deal if they are still in contention closer to the trade deadline on July 31. They would have to trade third basemen Mat Gamel or top outfield prospect Matt LaPorta.

The Yankees are also interested in Sabathia, but the Indians want Joba Chamberlain or Robinson Cano, so the Yankees won’t trade.

Also mentioned were the Rays and Red Sox, battling, with the Sox up by 1.5 games, for the AL East title. Sox pitcher Justin Materson was mentioned as part of the possible trade.