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."

Milwaukee sent Cleveland Class AA outfielder Matt LaPorta, Class AAA left-hander Zach Jackson, Class A right-hander Rob Bryson 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.

The Indians will choose the player to be named from a select list. They consider that player to be the second-best player in the deal — a good prospect, sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. Class A third baseman Taylor Green and outfielder Lorenzo Cain are among the names under consideration.

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 what feel are 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 Monday night's game against Colorado and to pitch against the Rockies on Tuesday night. 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."

Also Monday, Sabathia said he no longer wants periods after the initials he uses for his first name. It was not immediately known why Sabathia wanted it that way. He was to talk to reporters later in the day.

Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio said the acquisition of Sabathia will 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 in recent years.

"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.

Philadelphia Phillies News News » Brewers getting Sabathia from Indians 2008-07-07
Brewers getting Sabathia from Indians 2008-07-07
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia was traded Monday from the Cleveland Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects. Player file