Sunday Insider: Central Intelligence

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: July 12, 2008 - 6:20 PM

Baseball insiders generally believe Cleveland made the best of a tough situation with pending free agent CC Sabathia, trading him to Milwaukee for four prospects.

Matt LaPorta, the centerpiece of the deal, could be a defensive liability as an outfielder and be limited to first base.

Remember, the Indians already have Travis Hafner and Ryan Garko. So if LaPorta proves himself as a corner outfielder and a middle-order hitter, Cleveland will be thrilled.

Of the two pitchers Cleveland received, Rob Bryson could be comparable to Twins reliever Jesse Crain, and lefthander Zach Jackson seems to be the Philip Humber of the deal.

Humber is a former No. 1 pick who actually was the fourth-best prospect the Twins got from the Mets for Johan Santana. Humber recently was moved to the bullpen at Class AAA Rochester.

The key for Cleveland could be the player to be named. There is speculation that it's Class A third baseman Taylor Green or another lower-level prospect.

"Without that [player to be named], the deal doesn't get done," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro told reporters.