Former U.F. first baseman Matt LaPorta has been traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Cleveland Indians as part of a deal that sends reigning AL Cy Young award winner C. C. Sabathia to Milwaukee.

Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982. In order to get the big lefty, who is 6-8 this season, the Brewers had to give up Laporta.

The former Gator was hitting .288 with 20 homers and 66 RBIs in 84 games for Double-A Huntsville, but was traded in a deal that was finalized Monday morning.

In addition to Laporta, the Brewers also have to give up pitchers Rob Bryson and Zach Johnson and a prospect to be named later.

By David Hamilton/WCJB TV 20