3-Team deal on the horizon??

The big rumor from ESPN and other sources is that the Brewers and Indians are deep in trade talks about CC.  The revelation that the Brewers are willing to give up Matt LaPorta is huge.  The Brewers have also reportedly said that either Rickie Weeks or JJ Hardy could be had.

Could a possible 3-team deal be in the works?  The 3 teams being Brewers, Indians, and Dodgers.....

Dodgers desperately need a SS as Furcal had back surgery and is out at least 8 weeks (maybe the rest of the year).  Wouldn't shock me to see CC go to the Brewers and Hardy go to the Dodgers......but just a thought.....

Here's my proposed 3-team deal.....

Brewers get:  CC and Andy Marte

Dodgers get:  Hardy, Byrd, Dellucci and $1M cash from Cleveland

Indians get:  LaPorta, Bill Hall, Luis Pena, Chad Billingsley, Andre Ethier, and Mark Sweeney

Obviously the odds of a deal exactly like this is totally unlikely.  But fills a lot of needs for both clubs.  Dodgers would obviously prefer CC over Byrd.....but need Hardy.  Plus they can always make a big play for CC in the offseason.  Andruw Jones is back for the Dodgers so Ethier could be expendable.  Looch has as many HRs and once Pierre is healthy would replace Sweeney as bench player/pinch hit specialist.  Hall is unhappy in MIlwaukee and could become the Tribe's starting 3B next year.  He's struggling but still hitting HRs.  He's also killing lefthanded pitching still (OPS over 1.000 this year).  Pena is having a great year in the minors this year and could be the Tribe's closer of the future (at the very least a solid setup guy).  LaPorta is a HUGE bat (20HR in the minors this year) and would be the LFer of the future (as early as 2009 perhaps).  Tribe might have to throw in a minor leaguer for the Dodgers (maybe a Scott Lewis type).

Thoughts.....

We'll see there...

Hall is POed with how the Brewers are using him and he wants out in the worst way.  And I've heard many reports that Hardy is gonna be traded as well.  The Brewers fell that Escobar can step in right now and play at the big league level for the club.

Blake being traded to either the Brewers or the Dodgers wouldn't shock me either.  I know the Dodgers are very interesed in him.

 if the Indians get LaPorta in a deal for Sabathia, there is a good chance that he is the only player they get from the Brewers that is any higher than high A-ball.

ha, if that's the case then the Brewers should be looking elsewhere for a pitcher as NO one is getting CC if the deal only includes 1 guy over A ball.  good grief.

If the Brewers are indeed going to part with LaPorta, I would be about 90% sure that the offer on the table would be at most, LaPorta and Green for Sabathia.

I gurantee you that it'll take more than those two to get CC.  Tribe could just hold onto CC and get 2 first rounders instead at be nearly as well off.  LaPorta and Green could be the bulk of the deal but 1-2 more players would be needed, a pitcher definately (Tribe will never tradea pitcher without getting one in return).

I don't doubt that you have a better grasp of the Brewers situtation....but I have been following them some.  Branyan has 3B locked down against righties for the 2008 season (fair assessment am I right?).  I agree, he's TERRIBLE against lefties (which is where Hall still has a lot of value to the Brew Crew).  Hence the reason though that Andy Marte is included.  Yes, he has never lived up to expectations but he still has trade value and a change of scenary could do him good.  He's glove is ML ready and he does have a big bat.  A platoon this year with Branyan could work...plus he could start out there in 2009 for a bit til Mat Garmol is ready to take over (if he's not already ready for 2009).

I've heard mixed reports on Hardy.  Some say he's available and some say no.  My guess is if the rigth offer came along he would be available but could be wrong.  I hear ya on Escobar.....if the Brewers place more value on defense they may not be willing to bump him up......but they will have to take some kind of chance if they want to land CC.

The Tribe will want guys closer to ML ready than a AA OFer (where the Tribe is pretty logjamed as it is) and an A-ball 3B (a position the Tribe already has 2 solid 3B prospects at A-ball).

Perhaps the Dodgers could throw in Hu (minus the Tribe getting Ethier).   Again these are just thoughts...

But my guess from a Tribe standpoint is the Tribe will demand LaPorta and Pena for CC.  They need a guy in the bulpen that can run the fastball up in the mid to high 90s.  Just telling you want the Tribe will want.....