Baseball News:Indians trade C.C. Sabathia to Brewers

The Cleveland Indians have agreed to trade ace lefthander C.C. Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers for a package led by outfielder/first baseman Matt LaPorta, according to a published report.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported Sunday that the deal is contingent on paperwork being completed and medical records being exchanged. The report said Sabathia likely would make his Brewers debut Tuesday night against the Colorado Rockies. He still is listed as the starter for Cleveland that night against Detroit.
The Associated Press, citing an anoynmous source with direct knowledge of the talks, reported that a deal was imminent but not finalized.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro confirmed to the club's official website that the teams are discussing a deal, but that "(i)t is definitively not a done deal."
Shapiro added, "I won't comment on what point it's at or how far along [it is]."
Milwaukee's position as front-runner for Sabathia reportedly strengthened on Sunday. CBS and FoxSports.com reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers dropped out of the Sabathia talks earlier in the day. Two other potential suitors, the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays, likely won't be able or willing to offer more than Brewers.
Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA to win the AL Cy Young 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.
The big lefty is 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA for the Indians, but has also been plagued with a lack of run support. In nine of his 18 starts, Cleveland has scored two runs or less for him.
LaPorta, 23, the Brewers' first-round draft pick last year, has 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 84 games with the club's Double-A affiliate in Huntsville, Ala. He was scratched from the club's lineup Sunday night.
"It's kind of flattering to have your name brought up for one of the best pitchers in the game," LaPorta told the Huntsville Times. "There would be no hard feelings one way or another. This is a business, and I understand that."