Former Gator Part of Big MLB Deal

Former Gator Matt LaPorta will be on the move after being part of the biggest deal in Major League Baseball so far this season. The Cleveland Indians are shipping last year's Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia to Milwaukee in exchange for LaPorta.

Sabathia and a pair of minor leaguers head to the Brewers, while Milwaukee sends LaPorta along with other minor leaguers to Cleveland. Sabathia has struggled with injuries so far this year, posting a 6-8 record with 3.38 ERA.

LaPorta was Milwaukee's first round draft pick last season and has been playing right field for their Double-A affiliate the Huntsville Stars. This season, LaPorta is hitting .288 with 20 home runs and 60 RBI in 82 games. Twice this season, he has been named the Southern League's Player of the Week.

In his final season wearing the Orange and Blue, LaPorta was named the SEC's Player of the Year. He hit .402 and belted 20 home runs. LaPorta was a career .323 hitter for the Gators and left Gainesville as Florida's all-time home run leader with 174, which is also good for third best in SEC history.

As a sophomore, LaPorta became the first Gator to be named conference player of the year. He belted a nation-best 26 home runs helping Florida to its first College World Series finals appearance.

The deal is pending physicals and is expected to be announced on Monday.

Questions or comments? Contact FightinGators.com's Chris Chmielenski