Bye Bye C.C.

On Monday, my worst fears were confirmed. C.C. Sabathia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in a deal that brought a top prospect back to the Tribe. Ever since contract negotiations broke down between the Indians and Sabathia in the spring, this outcome was likely even though I prayed it wouldn't come to this. For the first time in my life, I've had to emotionally come to grips with my favorite player being traded in the prime of his career, someone who grew up in the organization, and is representation of all that is good in baseball. My affection for C.C. probably stemmed from the fact that he's a fat kid just like me and at 6'9" 300 lbs, throws fucking heat.

My emotions have been all over the place over the past week when it became apparent that he was on his way out. Due to injuries and an inept offense, the Indians sit in last place of the A.L. Central (even behind the Kansas City Royals) with no shot of getting to the playoffs. On top of the deep disappointment from being a last place team a year after sitting one game away from the World Series, I'll likely never see my favorite players pitch for my Indians ever again. Most of my friends will never have to go through such a thing. Those fans of the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Patriots, Knicks, Cubs, Dodgers et al. will never have to go through this. You can always afford to give your favorite all star as much money as he wants. The Patriots will never be forced to trade away Tom Brady because they can't afford him and don't even get me started with the Yankees, that argument makes itself. The Mets won't trade Jose Reyes and the Knicks buy every high priced talent who will never fit into their system. Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Sabathia couldn't stay in Cleveland because his talent demanded at least a 6 year, $125 million deal. In February, we offered him a 4 year, $74 million contract and under pressure from the Union and his agent, C.C. rejected the offer. In my gut, I know he's worth more than that and I want my favorite player to get what he is due for his tremendous performance. In the end, Sabathia will likely end up with one of those teams I mentioned above because they sit in a big market with their own TV contracts and incredible revenue production. For every time somebody gives me shit for being a fair-weather fan, I will point to the fact that my favorite baseball team couldn't pay my favorite player to keep him with the club he loves and grew up playing for, and the argument will be over.

I wish Carsten Charles all the best with the Brewers. I hope he leads them to the playoffs where they beat the Yanks or the Sox in the World Series and he is named M.V.P. I hold out hope that some day, the Indians will be able to keep some of their talent. This kid Matt LaPorta may be the real deal and I won't doubt Mark Shapiro's eye for talent. He did trade away Bartolo Colon (who hasn't really lived up to the expectations) for Grady Sizemore and Cliff lee. We've got other talent in the farm and if a few guys can get their heads out of their collective asses we might make another run deep into October. Who knows...maybe, just maybe, the Indians will bring a World Series trophy to Cleveland.