Photos: 2008 Phillies
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Sabathia, eligible for free agency after the season, went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
"I'd say we're going for it," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "That's the way I look at it."
Sabathia is the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 - a sign of surrender by Cleveland that hardly anyone would have imagined going into the season.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said the team's string of injuries and disappointing performances made it hard to imagine a significant rally in the second half.
"We all headed into this season with . . . well-founded expectations for a championship-contending season," Shapiro said. "Four core players on the DL - tough for almost any franchise to overcome - as well as disappointing performances from many components of our team, most noticeably in the bullpen, leave us at the juncture we're at. There wasn't much doubt or question in our mind that it was nearly impossible for us to become a contending club this year."
Sabathia was scheduled to arrive in Milwaukee before last night's game against Colorado and to pitch against the Rockies tonight. He also is expected to pitch against Cincinnati on Sunday, giving him a pair of starts for his new team at home leading into the all-star break.
"We're trying to get four starts out of him before the break," Melvin joked. "But we'll settle for two."
Milwaukee sent Cleveland leftfielder Matt LaPorta, pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Jackson, and a player to be named.
Melvin said the Brewers' strong farm system gave him flexibility to deal away a good prospect.
"Matt LaPorta is going to be a good big-league player, and I hope he is," Melvin said.
Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said the acquisition of Sabathia would push the team's payroll past $90 million this season. Attanasio said the move might prevent the club from turning a profit this year, but it was made possible by increased fan support and sound financial decisions.
"We'd always love to go for it," Attanasio said. "But you can go for it in a stupid fashion, and Doug and his group have never done that."
Sabathia had a slow start but is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA. Cleveland scored two runs or fewer in 11 of his 18 starts.
Milwaukee's starting pitching has been thin ever since Yovani Gallardo went on the disabled list on May 2 with a torn knee ligament that required surgery. His rehab was supposed to take four months.
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