Sabathia deal: prospects leaked

While we await official announcement of the Sabathia deal early this week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has leaked at least a few of the players expected to be named in the trade to Cleveland. The Indians will receive:

Matt LaPorta - The jewel of the trade. He's hit 20 home runs in Double-A and was a suspected second-half call-up for the Brewers.

Robert Bryson - Drafted in the 31st round of the 2006 draft out of H.S. He's dominated in A-ball over roughly the last month.

Zach Jackson - A supplemental first-round pick back in 2004, he's been roughed up at Triple-A to the tune of a 7.85 ERA. The 6'5 lefty owns a 10.06 ERA when he's behind in the count this year.

Cleveland may get a fourth player to be named. The JS thinks it could be Taylor Green, another A-ball prospect who's hit 10 home runs as a third baseman.

Fantasy Impact: That's a pretty good haul for Cleveland, which would be getting one of the top two Brewers prospects plus some players with good promise for a guy they can't afford to keep. The Brewers are betting heavyily on winning it all this year, as Ben Sheets suggests he won't return to the team in 2009, and there's speculation that Milwaukee can't retain Sabathia past this year, either. LaPorta may come up and play for Cleveland right away, and if he does he has the talent to contribute to a fantasy team. The Indians would appear losers in this deal only if Milwaukee wins a title in 2008 or is able to sign Sabathia after the season. Otherwise, the Brewers spent a good deal for a guy they can't keep. Expect Sabathia to thrive in the National League. He'll be facing hitters who've seen very little of him, and he'll face the opposing pitcher a couple of times each game.