Adventures in fat exchange

Big trade in MLB: the Cleveland Indians have agreed to send last year's Cy Young winner CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for prospects, pending physicals.

Sabathia immediately becomes one of the finest pitchers in the National League as well as one of the fattest. Sabathia has three plus or better pitches (a rising mid-90s fastball, a good curve, and a change-up) with great command (in his last 104 innings, he's struck out 109 and only walked 20). he's an ace on pretty much any staff and should help the Brew Crew tremendously in their push to their first playoff appearance since 1982.

In exchange, the Indians will receive an assortment of prospects. The focal point of the deal is clearly Matt LaPorta. LaPorta can mash. Currently hitting .288 with 20 HRs and 66 RBI in 84 games, LaPorta is a college hitter who projects as middle of the order presence who can play a little bit o' defense. Very much a "three true outcomes" guy, LaPorta hits a lot of homeruns, walks a lot, and strikes out a lot. Other prospects and include pitchers Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, and the ubiquitous "player to be named later". Bryson has a live arm and projects well as a reliever though his athleticism and durability will entice the Tribe to try him as a starter. Jackson is nothing special. He's a lefty without an out pitch. If he can develop one he could become a useful player, but otherwise he's like just a AAAA guy. Player to be named later, despite being involved in hundreds of trades has never actually played an inning of big-league ball and continues to frustrate.

The real advantage of this whole trade though is that we now get to have the 290lbs Sabathia on the same team as the 270lbs Prince Fielder. The team may need to start taking a bus on road trips because flight will be nigh impossible.