The Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Cincinnati Reds last night, while the Phillies won to close to within three games of the NL Wild Card lead. Also of note, the Astros are now ten games over .500 and five games back of the Brew Crew for the Wild Card slot. One of the very biggest series remaining this season is set to commence Thursday evening in Philly, where the Brewers will travel for four games that will go a long way in determining their post-season fate.

There is another interested party, an American League team, who is hoping Milwaukee can remain in the driver's seat. I will let the Cleveland Plain Dealer take it from here.

If the Brewers make the playoffs, the Indians get to choose the "player to be named" to complete the Sabathia deal. If the Brewers don't make the postseason, they get to choose the player they'll send the Indians....

...On July 7, the Indians sent Sabathia to Milwaukee for outfielder Matt LaPorta, left-hander Zach Jackson, right-hander Rob Bryson and the player to be named. The Indians made a point of saying the unnamed player had the talent to reach the big leagues.

The player to be named could come from a list of four players. Outfielder Michael Brantley and third baseman Taylor Green are the most talented players on the list.

The Indians started scouting both players after the trade, but an ankle injury to Brantley and a hand injury to Green slowed the process.

Without much else on these two, here is how they compare this season.

          Age  Level   G    AVG   OBP   SLG
Brantley  21    AA    106  .319  .395  .398
Green     21     A    114  .289  .382  .443

As the article mentions, Green's season was cut short when he was hit in the hand by a pitch on August 12. Still, it looks like the Tribe should have their pick of a couple of promising players should Milwaukee hang on to their lead.