Milwaukee acquires pitcher C.C. Sabathia

MILWAUKEE, July 7 (UPI) -- C.C. Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, was traded Monday by the Cleveland Indians to the National League's Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers sent minor leaguers Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson and Matt LaPorta to Cleveland in exchange for Sabathia.

"While we are disappointed to have reached this juncture, we are focused on positioning the organization for success in 2009 and beyond," Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro said. "No player has impacted this team and community more in the last eight years than C.C. Sabathia. However, by trading C.C., we have infused several promising players into our organization."

Sabathia, 27, is 6-8 this season with a 3.83 earned-run average after starting the year 0-3. He was 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season in winning the Cy Young Award. Over his eight-year career -- all with Cleveland -- Sabathia is 106-71 with a 3.83 ERA.

He is eligible to become a free agent after this season and had turned down a contract-extension offer from the Indians.