I just showed the WAR’s because Wins above replacement indicate how well a player plays IN PLACE OF a replacement player. Even though the Indians were going to lose Sabathia anyway, they gained virtually nothing from the deal, considering that Laporta and Brantley’s numbers could be duplicated by another AAA player in Columbus.In the tribe’s defense, they did not know that Brantley and Laporta would not develop as they wanted them to. Perhaps keeping Sabathia, and taking the compensation draft pick would have turned out better, who knows. That is what makes baseball so interesting.

Who took CC’s starts after the trade? Could it have made a difference in the pennant race? And hey, say they hung onto him and took the supplemental pick. Kentrail Davis was a whiff, but only a few picks ahead of Tanner Scheppers. Fun to imagine…

Anyway, Ryan is correct, the choice was between Green and Brantley. Of course, the Indians ended up receiving Brantley, and here we are today. I also agree with Ryan on the fact that the entire league knew that the Indians would be trading Sabathia; however, not many teams seemed to be ALL that interested, which is odd considering the usual amount of interest at the deadline. The Brewers seemed to be the only serious candidate to land Sabathia, so the Indians were sort of forced into being restricted on what they could get in a trade.

As for Stevens comments, I am not saying that the Lee trade was a disaster, but it is my opinion that the Indians whiffed on that deal even more. Looking back at the trade, they did not receive a premier prospect (Carrasco was not nearly as hyped as Laporta was) in return for a Cy-Young winner. I am also by no means closing the door on that deal yet at all; however, keep in mind that from the C.C. trade, the Indians received a starting (borderline) outfielder in Brantley who is actively contributing to the team now. I understand Carrasco would be contributing if it were not for the injury, but last season, he was below average despite people thinking he was really a key to the Indians success (0.6 WAR in 2010 and 2011). Marson is purely a defensive catcher who is not of starting caliber for a full season because of his futile offense. Donald is sort of serving that super-utility role for the Indians, and I agree, he was a great addition. The word is also still out about the Knapp kid, but his injuries have seemed to slow his movement through the farm system.

All in all, Shapiro and the front office did do well on trades in recent years. I just find it interesting how the Indians managed to whiff twice when trading Cy-Young winners (by whiff, I mean miss out on a SOLID starting player), yet pull off trades to get Shin Soo Choo and Carlos Santana for practically nothing. It is funny how baseball works sometimes.

BA has him listed as the Brewers 8th best prospect and he’s coming off a monster year at Triple-A, but he’s blocked by Ramirez and Weeks so we won’t really know if we made the right choice for awhile longer.

LaPorta was a blue chipper all the way,although his lack of athleticism should have been a warning flag.His severe beaning at the Olympics may have retarded his progress at the very least,it seems to me that he never has swung with abandon since then.Sort of feeling for the ball instead of ripping it.

Brantley is beginning to look like nothing more than a fourth outfielder at the major league level,although I’m hoping for the best since the Tribe has zilch for outfielders in their farm system.

Bryson may still contribute.

In sum,Shapiro had to make this deal,every other GM in baseball would have made the deal in his place at that time.

Neither guy has worked out the way anyone expected, but when trading for prospects I think the initial reaction of insiders (which was nothing but positive) means almost as much as the actual result. After all, we know Shaprio & Co. can evaluate talent from numerous trades they’ve pulled off in recent years landing guys like Cabrera, Choo, etc for absolutely nothing. This one just didn’t work out, for whatever reason.