Buster Olney reports some interesting trade specualtion from a "rival executive".  This rival suggests the Cleveland Indians send starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia and a prospect to the Milwaukee Brewers for 1B Prince Fielder.  With the wealth of 1B-types in the minors, the Brewers could make this kind of deal.  Last year's top pick, Matt LaPorta has to play somewhere. 

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports writes:

 "The Brewers' surge makes it doubtful that they would entertain trade offers for first baseman Prince Fielder before the end of the season. Brewers GM Doug Melvin prefers to trade position players in the off-season in order to attract a greater number of suitors; that was the route he chose with Richie Sexson, whom he sent to the Diamondbacks for a six-player return in Dec. 2003. The Brewers, brimming with corner-infield prospects at Class AA, have the flexibility to replace Fielder, trade for a starting pitcher or both."

I wonder if the Seattle Mariners wouldn't be a better fit with Erik Bedard going to Milwaukee?  He has an additional year on his contract, and the Mariners' needs a 1B.  Whether it is Fielder, LaPorta or Matt Gamel going West, this appears to be a better fit.

Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer speculates the Phillies would have to build a package for Sabathia around RF Shane Victorino and AA SP Carlos Carasco.  Also mentioned is one the the team's top hitting prospects Adrian Cardenas, a 2B in High A Clearwater with a 316/387/477 stat line .  Mr. Salisbury gets assistant GM Mike Arbuckle to say:

"We have to balance going for it now versus the future.  We have to keep in mind that this is not a club that is all-or-nothing this year. We have to be careful about absolutely wiping out the best young players in the system to do it now. That is not to say we don't want to win now and won't move good players if we feel the deal is right. It's just something we're looking at carefully."

My follow-up question for Mr. Arbuckle would have been, "Define 'good players'."

Sean Adams of the Providence Journal also dives into the trade speculating market for C.C. Sabathia. and states the inclusion of AA SP Michael Bowden could land Sabathia. I agree Bowden would be in the package but his presence alone won't be enough.  Any Indians' offer made to the Boston Red Sox will include middle infielder Jed Lowrie.

Too bad MLB doesn't allow the trading of draft picks.  I'd love to have some data about whether a supplemental first round pick and a second round one are considered more/less/the same as Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie.