The Cleveland Indians traded C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee on Monday for a package of prospects.

This confirms what everybody had already recognized: The Indians, one of the preseason favorites in the AL Central, are toast for 2008.

It's immediate impact on the Twins: It removes probably the best pitcher in the division from the division. The Twins have three series left with Cleveland, so C.C. might have started three games against Minnesota the rest of the way. Chicago has two series left with the Tribe, Detroit three. A slight edge to the Twins in that as compared to the White Sox, probably even with Detroit.

In the long run: Cleveland handed Matt LaPorta, who can hit, and hit big time. He's been playing left field in the Milwaukee system, and it's possible Cleveland will keep him there, but his natural position is first base. When Milwaukee drafted LaPorta in the first round last year, itw as regarded as a surprise, because the Brewers have Prince Fielder at first and a lot of scouts doubted LaPorta could handle the outfield. I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Cleveland moving him back to first base, but he's more valuable as a left fielder. LaPorta has been tearing up Double-A in the Southern League. Here are his stats, collegiate and minors.

Of the pitchers, Zach Jackson is a fringe lefty who's had a few major league outings with the Brewers. His numbers are here. He looks like a LOOGY to me — Left-handed One-Out GuY. Rob Bryson is a RHP in low-A ball who is a better prospect but further away from the majors. Here are his numbers.

Cleveland will get a fourth prospect; a strong possibility is third baseman Tyler Green. Supposedly the Indians are still scouting him to see if they think he can be shifted successfully to second base.

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For the Brewers, of course, this is an obvious going-for-it now trade. Sabathia was only available because he's due to be a free agent after the season. So is Ben Sheets, Milwaukee's established ace. Sheets and Sabathia gives them a truly imposing duo at the front of their rotation, arguable the best 1-2 punch since the Diamondbacks had Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling at the top of their games in the early 2000s. But the Brew Crew is only likely to have them through October. Add in the impressive rookie Manny Parra, and veterans Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush at the end of the rotation, and it's the best starting crew in the NL. (Assuming, of course, that the injury-prone Sheets stays off the DL.)