MLB odds: Brewers could be NL favorites with Sabathia

By Jordan Walters
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

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The Milwaukee Brewers enter Monday 3.5 games back of the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central and leading the wild-card race, but they made a big statement that they are going for it all this year by acquiring reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians.

Sabathia is eligible for free agency after the season and almost assuredly will go to a big-market club, but Milwaukee is renting him for the second half of the season to pair with in-house ace Ben Sheets (10-2, 2.77 ERA), also set to be a free agent after the season, as the Brewers try to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

Sabathia (6-8, 3.83 ERA) will make his NL debut on Tuesday against the Rockies. He has struck out 123 batters vs. 52 walks and already has worked 122 1/3 innings. His numbers are a little deceiving this year as Cleveland has scored two or fewer runs in nine of his outings. In five starts in June, he was 3-1 with a 1.89 ERA, with 44 strikeouts and only seven walks in 38 innings.

"C.C. is one of the top pitchers in the game today," Brewers GM Doug Melvin said. "His addition to the starting rotation will be a major key in helping the team reach its ultimate goal of going to the postseason and beyond.

"The Brewers had kept their eye out for pitching help since losing promising young right-hander Yovani Gallardo for the season to a knee injury during a game in Chicago on May 1.

Sabathia, 28, is expected to command a six-year contract for between $20 million and $25 million in this offseason, which will be far too rich for Milwaukee. Rather than retain him at that price, the Brewers will accept two premium draft picks as compensation.

 

He was placed on the trade market when Cleveland fell into last place in its division and was unable to sign him to a contract extension that reportedly was $72 million over four years.

Milwaukee, which outbid a reported six teams for Sabathia, sent Cleveland left fielder Matt LaPorta (the top prospect in the deal), pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson and a player to be named.

This move basically forces the Cubs to also make a pitching move to keep pace. Chicago reportedly has been eyeing the Blue Jays, A.J. Burnett and the Padres' Randy Wolf. Other teams in the running for Sabathia (Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Phillies) also figure to get more active now.

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