CLEVELAND — High hopes greeted the Indians as they entered the 2008 season, fresh off a Central Division title in their most successful year in more than a decade.
Now, in last place and all but out of contention, they are waving goodbye to their ace.
During a news conference at Progressive Field on Monday, the Indians announced they had traded C.C. Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers for a package of prospects that includes highly touted outfielder Matt LaPorta.
Reports emerged Sunday night from Milwaukee that the deal was on the verge of being complete, with official word arriving Monday morning.
“Obviously we all headed into this season with well-founded hope of a championship-caliber year,” said Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro, whose club entered Monday 14 games out of first place with the
second-worst record (37-51) in the American League. “Core players on the disabled list, as well as disappointing performances from a number of areas on our club, leave us at the juncture we’re at now.
“It’s an extremely disappointing decision. It’s extremely tough emotionally. But it’s also part of the game and part of the business.”
In an open letter to fans on Indians.com, team president Paul Dolan wrote: “After keeping the strong nucleus from our 2007 playoff team intact, we all had high expectations entering the ’08 season. Unfortunately, the team did not play up to our expectations and we sustained injuries to key players within our starting lineup and rotation. Due to our team’s performance, as well as the significant opportunity to add talent that can impact the short-term and long-term success of the organization, we decided to trade C.C.”
In exchange for Sabathia, the defending AL Cy Young Award winner, the Indians receive LaPorta, a power hitting first baseman/left fielder, Triple-A left-handed pitcher Zach Jackson, Class A right-handed pitcher Rob Bryson and a player to be named later.
The player to be named is not considered simply a throw-in. Shapiro said the deal hinged on the addition of a player that the Indians believe can be an every-day starter at the big league level. They have until the end of the season to select the player.
The GM said by trading Sabathia now, the team was able to receive more value than had they waited to unload the left-hander. He said seven teams were interested in acquiring Sabathia, with some indicating the pitcher was of more worth to them now than later.
The clubs reportedly interested in Sabathia other than Milwaukee were the Phillies, Dodgers, Rays, Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs.    
“We made a trade in the current market for tremendous value, not exclusively but highlighted by Matt LaPorta,” Shapiro said.
LaPorta, Milwaukee’s first-round draft choice (seventh overall), hit .288 with 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 84 games for the Brewers’ Class AA affiliate Huntsville. He is expected to begin his Indians career at Double-A Akron, but is likely to make his big league debut sometime this season.
Jackson, 25, has experience in the majors with Milwaukee, but has spent the entire year in the minors, compiling a 1-5 record and 7.85 ERA in 22 games (six starts) for Nashville. He will join Triple-A Buffalo’s rotation.
Bryson, 20, is a hard-throwing reliever with a 3-2 record and 4.25 ERA in 22 appearances for Single-A West Virginia.
The player to be named is believed to be one of two players — Class A third baseman Taylor Green (.295, 10 HR, 54 RBIs in 81 games) or Double-A center fielder Michael Brantley (.324, four home runs, 34 RBIs, 25 stolen bases in 74 games).  
The Indians knew parting ways with Sabathia was a possibility, more likely a probability, when the three-time all-star rejected a four-year contract extension worth $72 million and broke off negotiations in spring training, making it clear he would test the free-agent market.
“We felt we thoroughly explored an extension (this spring),” Shapiro said. “It was extremely clear that C.C.’s expectations and our abilities weren’t aligned.”   
Sabathia, who turns 28 in July, is expected to command a lucrative multiyear contract should he become a free agent at the end of the year. He has spent his entire seven-plus-year career in Cleveland after being drafted in 1998.
The small-market Brewers are likely renting Sabathia for a playoff push, standing 3½ games behind first-place Chicago in the NL Central through Sunday, percentage points ahead of division rival St. Louis for the league’s second-best record.
If Sabathia does not re-sign with Milwaukee, the Indians could join the offseason bidding, but aren’t given much chance of competing with some of baseball’s biggest spenders.
“We hope to be part of the process,” Shapiro said. “If he’s available, that’s certainly something we’ll explore. But you recognize the challenges of signing a player on the free-agent market.”
Sabathia (6-8, 3.83) is scheduled to make his first start for the Brewers tonight in Milwaukee against the Rockies.
The season began promisingly for the Indians, who returned much of the same roster from a team that came a win away from the World Series in 2007. But a lack of production from its offense and injuries to key players — Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner and Victor Martinez — quickly took Cleveland out of contention.
“We don’t feel we’re at a rebuild,” Shapiro said. “We don’t think we have to rebuild this team. We have to get healthy. In addition, we’re going to have to be creative to return a championship-caliber team next year, which I’m confident we can do.”
With or without Sabathia.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

THE NEW GUYS

Matt LaPorta, 1B/LF

Hitting .288 with 20 HRs and 66 RBIs in 84 games for Class AA Huntsville Stars. Age 23.

Zach Jackson, LHP

Despite having some major league experience, has spent all year in the minors, going 1-5 with 7.85 ERA in 22 games for Class AAA Nashville Sounds. Age 25.

Rob Bryson, RHP

Has compiled a 3-2 record and 4.25 ERA in 22 appearances as a reliever for Class A West Virginia Power. Age 20.

TONIGHT

WHO: Cleveland at Detroit
TIME: 7:05
WHERE: Comerica Park
PITCHERS: Sowers (0-4, 7.53 ERA) vs. Verlander (5-9, 4.34)
TV/RADIO: SportsTime Ohio; WEOL 930-AM, WTAM 1100-AM
 

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