This article in The Onion sums things up. Warning: Don't read it if you're offended by foul language.

The Cleveland Indians didn't waste much time trading C.C. Sabathia. The reigning Cy Young winner in the AL now is a Milwaukee Brewer.

In exchange, the Indians received outfielder Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson and a player to be named later.

It's quite obvious why the Tribe did this. They do not believe they can win the American League wild-card playoff spot, let alone catch the White Sox. In addition, and just as importantly for a franchise watching what it spends, they did not believe they could sign him for an amount of money that financially made sense.

It was a bold move by GM Mark Shapiro.

I've already seen people critical of trading an ace. But for the above reasons, the Indians needed to get something in return. Could they risk waiting until closer to the trading deadline? Perhaps. But there's no guarantee anything would have been better.

I also think that type of money from a team with a restricted budget shouldn't be spent on a pitcher. What happens if Sabathia gets hurt? What if weight problems affect how he pitches in the future?

The key to the deal is LaPorta, who was probably the prize of their system. He can help the Indians in 2009. Quite frankly, he could be another Ryan Braun. And anytime you can get someone that special, it's not a bad deal. And, in case you haven't noticed, the Indians offense could use a bat as well.

Bryson is someone who could be special, but the Tribe will need to have some patience. He's pitching in low-A, but has struck out 73 batters in only 55 innings, which is real nice.

Overall, the Indians get graded a B. Not many people were fans of the Bartolo Colon trade a few years ago. That set up their playoff run last year. This trade could do something similar with LaPorta.

Give the kid some time to show his stuff.

If you're in a keeper league and can acquire his rights, by all means, do it.

If you're looking to get Sabathia in a NL-only league. He'll still be very good. Don't discount the adjustment needed switching leagues. Johan Santana isn't putting up Bob Gibson-like numbers throwing in the league where the pitcher bats.

Also, Sabathia might feel added pressure of being responsible for getting the Brewers into the postseason.

The Brewers gave up a lot to get C.C. Sabathia in a trade. Will it work out? Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News took a look at some deals that didn't pay off:

-- 2002: Montreal acquired ace pitcher Bartolo Colon from Cleveland for left-hander Cliff Lee, outfielder Grady Sizemore and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Colon went 10-4 for the second-place Expos. -- 1998: Houston acquired ace lefty Randy Johnson from Seattle for right-hander Freddy Garcia, shortstop Carlos Guillen and left-hander John Halama. Johnson was 10-1 in 11 regular-season starts but 0-2 against San Diego in the first round of the postseason. -- 1989: Montreal acquired left-hander Mark Langston from Seattle for Johnson and right-handers Gene Harris and Brian Holman. Langston was 12-9 for an Expos team that finished 81-81. -- 1989: The New York Mets acquired lefty Frank Viola from Minnesota for right-handers Rick Aguilera and Kevin Tapani. Viola went 5-5, the Mets finished six games behind the Cubs in the NL East, and two years later, Aguilera and Tapani helped pitch the Twins to a world championship. -- 1987: Detroit acquired right-hander Doyle Alexander from Atlanta for right-hander John Smoltz. Alexander went 9-0 in 11 regular-season starts, but the Tigers lost both his starts to Minnesota in the ALCS.

I can't believe it's time for fantasy football. It seems like last season just ended. If you want to be considered for the Erie Times-News Fantasy Football Challenge, send me an e-mail explaining why you should be chosen.

Prepare for your fantasy football draft with live mock drafts. Check out the Sporting News' Web site for drafts to fit your fancy.

Need a little advice on a final keeper in your fantasy football league? Just want to hear another opinion on what to do? Post a question under comments and I'll reply.

Trade watching is a popular sport. If you want to be up on some of the best rumors out there, check out mlbtraderumors.com.

This article in The Onion sums things up. Warning: Don't read it if you're offended by foul language.

The Cleveland Indians didn't waste much time trading C.C. Sabathia. The reigning Cy Young winner in the AL now is a Milwaukee Brewer.

In exchange, the Indians received outfielder Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson and a player to be named later.

It's quite obvious why the Tribe did this. They do not believe they can win the American League wild-card playoff spot, let alone catch the White Sox. In addition, and just as importantly for a franchise watching what it spends, they did not believe they could sign him for an amount of money that financially made sense.

It was a bold move by GM Mark Shapiro.

I've already seen people critical of trading an ace. But for the above reasons, the Indians needed to get something in return. Could they risk waiting until closer to the trading deadline? Perhaps. But there's no guarantee anything would have been better.

I also think that type of money from a team with a restricted budget shouldn't be spent on a pitcher. What happens if Sabathia gets hurt? What if weight problems affect how he pitches in the future?

The key to the deal is LaPorta, who was probably the prize of their system. He can help the Indians in 2009. Quite frankly, he could be another Ryan Braun. And anytime you can get someone that special, it's not a bad deal. And, in case you haven't noticed, the Indians offense could use a bat as well.

Bryson is someone who could be special, but the Tribe will need to have some patience. He's pitching in low-A, but has struck out 73 batters in only 55 innings, which is real nice.

Overall, the Indians get graded a B. Not many people were fans of the Bartolo Colon trade a few years ago. That set up their playoff run last year. This trade could do something similar with LaPorta.

Give the kid some time to show his stuff.

If you're in a keeper league and can acquire his rights, by all means, do it.

If you're looking to get Sabathia in a NL-only league. He'll still be very good. Don't discount the adjustment needed switching leagues. Johan Santana isn't putting up Bob Gibson-like numbers throwing in the league where the pitcher bats.

Also, Sabathia might feel added pressure of being responsible for getting the Brewers into the postseason.

The Brewers gave up a lot to get C.C. Sabathia in a trade. Will it work out? Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News took a look at some deals that didn't pay off:

-- 2002: Montreal acquired ace pitcher Bartolo Colon from Cleveland for left-hander Cliff Lee, outfielder Grady Sizemore and second baseman Brandon Phillips. Colon went 10-4 for the second-place Expos. -- 1998: Houston acquired ace lefty Randy Johnson from Seattle for right-hander Freddy Garcia, shortstop Carlos Guillen and left-hander John Halama. Johnson was 10-1 in 11 regular-season starts but 0-2 against San Diego in the first round of the postseason. -- 1989: Montreal acquired left-hander Mark Langston from Seattle for Johnson and right-handers Gene Harris and Brian Holman. Langston was 12-9 for an Expos team that finished 81-81. -- 1989: The New York Mets acquired lefty Frank Viola from Minnesota for right-handers Rick Aguilera and Kevin Tapani. Viola went 5-5, the Mets finished six games behind the Cubs in the NL East, and two years later, Aguilera and Tapani helped pitch the Twins to a world championship. -- 1987: Detroit acquired right-hander Doyle Alexander from Atlanta for right-hander John Smoltz. Alexander went 9-0 in 11 regular-season starts, but the Tigers lost both his starts to Minnesota in the ALCS.

I can't believe it's time for fantasy football. It seems like last season just ended. If you want to be considered for the Erie Times-News Fantasy Football Challenge, send me an e-mail explaining why you should be chosen.

Prepare for your fantasy football draft with live mock drafts. Check out the Sporting News' Web site for drafts to fit your fancy.

Need a little advice on a final keeper in your fantasy football league? Just want to hear another opinion on what to do? Post a question under comments and I'll reply.

Trade watching is a popular sport. If you want to be up on some of the best rumors out there, check out mlbtraderumors.com.