Phoenix -- The C.C. Sabathia rumors might turn out to be morethan rumors.
As the Milwaukee Brewers continued to scout Sabathia in hisouting for Cleveland against Chicago on Wednesday night, word cameout of Brevard County, Fla., that the Indians were looking atspecific Milwaukee minor-leaguers.
Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed Thursday thatspecial assistant Dick Groch was in Chicago to monitor Sabathia'souting against the White Sox.
"We've seen him pitch a couple of times," said Melvin, whodeclined to elaborate on any interest he has in the reigningAmerican League Cy Young Award winner. "We look at a lot of guys."
According to a source in attendance, the Indians had scoutslooking at Class A Brevard County third baseman Taylor Green, theBrewers' minor-league player of the year in 2007. Cleveland isthought to be taking a close look at the Brewers' prospect-ladenClass AA Huntsville club, also.
Green, 21, was hitting .296 at Brevard with nine home runs and 48RBI in 77 games, with a .380 on-base percentage. Last year at ClassA West Virginia, Green batted .327 with 14 home runs and 86 RBI.
If the Brewers are willing to deal Green in a trade for Sabathia,it is unlikely they also would part with Mat Gamel, who is having asensational offensive year (.382, 31 doubles, 15 homers, 75 RBI in83 games) at Huntsville. Gamel and Green are considered the topthird-base prospects in the system and the Brewers probably wouldn'tpart with both.
The Brewers wouldn't want to deal top prospect Matt LaPorta,either. But they have several other highly regarded outfielders intheir system, such as Brevard County's Lorenzo Cain and Darren Ford,and Huntsville's Cole Gillespie and Michael Brantley.
Asked about Cleveland having interest in specific players in hissystem, Melvin said: "I can't comment on that. There's probably alot of clubs looking at our guys."
Because Cleveland has fallen into last place in the AL Centraland has been unable to sign Sabathia, a free agent-to-be, theIndians are expected to deal him before the July 31 non-waiverdeadline. Any team trading for the 27-year-old lefty could lose himto free agency after the season.
That wouldn't stop the Brewers from dealing for Sabathia,however. Melvin sent three pitching prospects to San Diego last Julyfor reliever Scott Linebrink, who left via free agency after theseason. Linebrink didn't help the Brewers make the playoffs, going 2-3 with a 3.55 earned run average in 27 appearances, but Melvin saidhe didn't regret the trade.
"I think people got down on him," Melvin said. "He's the best set-up guy in (the AL) right now (with Chicago). You still make thedeal. We got two draft picks for him."
Sabathia didn't pitch particularly well Wednesday against theWhite Sox, allowing seven hits and five runs (four earned) in eightinnings. Before that, however, he logged at least 10 strikeouts inthree consecutive starts.
