Sabathia (possible) Trade Fantasy Ramifications

It has been reported that deal sending C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee for Brewers prospects –centered around Matt LaPorta – could be done at any second, if it’s not done already.

Since it sounds like this is going to happen, I thought I’d give my thoughts on the fantasy impact this may have on Sabathia and LaPorta.

C.C. Sabathia SP
Line in Milwaukee: 0-1, 4.15 ERA, 13 IP, 4 BB, 16 K
Line vs St. Louis: 1-0, 4.63 ERA, 11.2 IP, 3 BB, 8 K
Line vs Chicago: 0-1, 34.71 ERA, 2.1 IP, 2 BB, 2 K
Line vs Pittsburgh: 2-0, 1.64 ERA, 22 IP, 6 BB, 21 K
Line vs Cincinnati: 3-0, 2.26 ERA, 51.1 IP, 17 BB, 55 K
Line vs Houston: N/A
Line in NL: 12-6, 3.74 ERA, 190 IP, 166 H, 59 BB, 167 K

Obviously, these are very small samples so not too much should be taken from this. What may mean something is what Sabathia did against the NL this season (2-0, 1.57 ERA, 23 IP, 4 BB, 31 K and one 440 foot home run). Sabathia dominated and seemed to get his season back on track after a very slow start.

There is every reason to believe Sabathia will make a smooth transition to the NL and produce at a slightly higher level (facing the pitching spot three times a game should mean added strike outs). His situation is also a lot different from the one Johan Santana entered. Unlike Santana, Sabathia could still be a free agent at the end of the season (Santana already signed a massive contract) and will be playing in a relatively small market (New York ain’t so small). The pressures of winning for the Brewers are not going to be the same as they are with the Mets, noting the media market and the Brewers window is opening – not closing.

The only down side may be all the beer and brauts in Milwaukee, which could add to Sabathia’s weight problems.

Sabathia should be as dominate, if not more, after this trade, which should make the Halos one happy camper.

Matt LaPorta OF
Career Minor League Line: (112 G, 411 AB) .294/.395/.616 SLG – 32 HR, 97 RBI, 32 2B, 2 3B, 52 BB, 92 K

That. Is. Sexy.

Ladies, if you’re looking for a keeper prospect, here you go (but don’t go scurrying for him now because he isn’t in the system). LaPorta has tremendous hitting and power potential. His plate disciple is very good. He has made one error in the 98 games he has played in the outfield which means one of two things: a) he is a really good defender, or b) the ball doesn’t get hit to him very often.

The majority of his 411 AB have come at the AA level (296 AB), where he is hitting a weak .291/.404/.584 with 20 HR and 66 RBI. Let’s just say the guy has serious potential.

What this trade does in speed up the process in which LaPorta will make the big leagues. The Indians are starved for power and have both corner outfield positions available. While LaPorta probably won't come up until September at the earliest, it does give everyone the opportunity to pick him up as a possible keeper candidate at the end of the season.

On a side note, the Royals chose Mike Moustakas (.241/.303/.405) over LaPorta in last year’s draft. Though it should be noted that Moustakas is 19 and LaPorta is 23.