Let me make this very clear...after 26 years of not even postseason futility, but just flat out no postseason...the Brewers need to seal the deal on Indians lefty and reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia.

Respected ESPN reporter Buster Olney thought the deal might include last year's first round pick Matt LaPorta and J.J. Hardy.  And while it appears the Hardy part was wrong, it's the LaPorta part I have a problem with.

What I really respect Olney for is painting the picture of how the Brewers are trying to strike quickly.  He reported how the Brewers brass had a private meeting in Arizona on Thursday, and then added that Sabathia likely doesn't make another start for Cleveland.  Basically, GM Doug Melvin and company are trying to do two things...one, get him before other teams get in, and two, get Sabathia at least 5 starts before the end of the month.

The only problem?  LaPorta.  Yeah, he has baseball's dark angel Scott Boras as his agent.  But he'll at least protect the Crew for a couple years if Prince Fielder is dealt or leaves.  And the guy looks like a player for years to come.

Mat Gamel seems like a classic AL only player...he'll hit .320 with power all day, but has an iron glove in the field.  Taylor Green looks good, but nobody can accurately say what a Class A player is going to do.  That's why if I were the Brewers, I'd press the Indians to try and take those two instead.

LaPorta might be the cost of doing this deal.  And while the Brewers need the postseason more than anything, that seems steep.  Especially when Sabathia is nothing more than a 2 or 3 month rental, depending on if and how long the Brewers last into the postseason.  You're kidding yourself if you think the Brewers are going to sign this guy long-term.  And especially when Melvin & friends are likely going to have to turn around and turn a deal soon to extinguish the fires that bullpen seems to be starting too often for everyone's taste.

Emails and opinions at lallan@todaystmj4.com