The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
But believe me, folks, that's a deal. All that other stuff is formality.
All I know so far is that top prospect Matt LaPorta is in the deal. I was told two lower-level minor leaguers also are included. The Brewers refused to include another top prospect such as Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel.
Wow. This may free the Dodgers, who were also involved in the Sabathia sweepstakes, to swing a deal with the Pirates for some offense.
LaPorta's a great prospect and the Indians, who've lost eight in a row, are far enough out of it that it was time for them to abandon their hopes of taking even a weak division like the AL Central. I think this could be a great trade for both teams--LaPorta is blocked in Milwaukee, and the Brewers just substantially increased their chances of making the playoffs since 1982--but I'll see who else is involved before I comment further.
UPDATE: Man, is it inspiring to see the Brewers do stuff like this. Every time the Brewers make some bold move to improve their chances of winning and augment their young core, I hope Bob Nutting thinks, "There is no reason this can't be the Pirates in five years."
UPDATE 2: The link above now says that two of the other players are pitchers Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson. Jackson, who Toronto included in the Lyle Overbay trade a couple years ago, is now just your standard AAA filler type. Bryson apparently has a terrific slider and could end up being a high-leverage reliever in the majors. There's a fourth player in the deal, who could end up being Class A third baseman Taylor Green, and exciting young hitter. If it's Green, the Indians get a very good haul here.