Welcome to Saturday Scorecard, where we put down our beer and mozzarella marinara long enough to address C.C. Sabathia, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and other substantive and salacious stories of the day.

On to the notes...

Sabathia Sweepstakes: In order to make a playoff push, the Brewers need another starting pitcher. Dave Bush and Seth McClung have had some good turns since Yovani Gallardo suffered what is expected to be a season-ending knee injury, but most fans will agree that the club needs to add another arm.

Most observers would agree that adding the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner - Cleveland lefty Carsten Charles (C.C.) Sabathia - would be a solid pickup.

The only apparent sticking point - aside from the fact that other clubs also are pursuing Sabathia -- is the price.

In order to land Sabathia, an impending free agent who fits the description of a "rental," the Brewers are going to have to part with at least two and possibly three quality prospects from their farm system.

While general manager Doug Melvin and his Cleveland counterpart Mark Shapiro talk about possibilities, try to find a match and practice their poker faces, a whole bunch of fans who've never laid eyes on Matt LaPorta, Mat Gamel, Alcides Escobar, Taylor Green or Lorenzo Cain are speaking authoritatively about which prospects should stay and which should go.

Not only does it make for a great debate, it gives a glimpse into how difficult it is to be a big-league general manager.

So, let's simplify things.

Say the Brewers acquire Sabathia, he performs as expected and the team makes the playoffs for the first time in more than a quarter-century, it doesn't really matter which Milwaukee prospects end up wearing the Chief Wahoo cap on the field, in the All-Star Game or in the Hall of Fame.

The trade can be considered a success.

On the flip side...

If Sabathia falters, gets injured or can't help the Brewers end their post-season drought, the trade will be considered a failure even if none of the prospects heading east make it past Class AAA Buffalo. If any of them become all-stars, well, Melvin will be asked about the deal at every banquet he attends for the next 25 years (or until the Brewers do make the playoffs).

Melvin is in a tough position, but there is no question he'd rather make a deal for Sabathia or some other potential playoff sparkplug than a roster-revamping special like the one that shipped Richie Sexson to Arizona.

The Brewers are in "win now" mode. Fans shouldn't worry about "the future," because that's not as important as the present. What Milwaukee fans are learning now is that a robust farm system serves two purposes.

The primary function is to supply talented players to the big-league roster. The Brewers have done well in that regard with Fielder, Ryan Braun, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, Manny Parra and others.

The secondary function of the farm system is to provide a pool of players that can be dealt to fill gaps on the major-league roster.

That's the situation the Brewers find themselves in at present. Minor-league prospects are wonderful, but trading Mat Gamel, Taylor Green or even Matt LaPorta will not be a crippling blow to the organization.

Acquiring Sabathia for prospects would be a gamble. Standing pat, however, would be a bigger risk.

Memory lane: The Brewers made a deal last year for San Diego veteran Scott Linebrink. He didn't pitch well and the team didn't make the playoffs. Joe Thatcher and Steve Garrison may not be headed for stardom, but Wil Inman, who is 8-4 with a 3.18 ERA in the hitter-friendly Texas League, could end up being a star.

Even if that happens, the Linebrink deal was worth a shot.

Remember when the Brewers traded Carlos Lee to Texas at the deadline in 2006? Remember all the teeth-gnashing and "Why did they have to include Nelson Cruz in the deal?" Is anybody lamenting that part of the deal today?

Déjà vu: The Brett Favre saga that began this week (did it ever really end?) could end up being a distraction for the Packers in training camp. In any event, it's putting more pressure on Aaron Rodgers.

One writer's theory about how we got to this point: Favre didn't really want to retire, but the Packers pushed him to make a decision and he did what he thought was right at the time. Now, he has "the itch" to play again. The Packers, particularly general manager Ted Thompson, are ready to turn the page.

Favre told the team about his desire. The team told Rodgers, who popped off to Sports Illustrated with some uncharacteristically harsh comments. Favre, it appears, responded by relaying his desire to return through ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

When the firestorm began, Favre -- as is his custom -- remained in seclusion and transmitted a "Why is everyone getting so worked up?" message to Biloxi Sun-Herald writer Al Jones.

Where does the story go from here?

There will be a lot of speculation about trade demands and hurt feelings on all sides, but it still seems doubtful that Favre will play again.

Our best guess: Favre wants to play in the NFL again, but only in Green Bay. He doesn't want to get used to a new city, a new organization, a new coaching staff, new terminology, new teammates, new equipment guys and trainers and a new setup.

If the Packers stand firm and continue to back Rodgers, there is a good chance they'll retire Favre's jersey as scheduled.

Quick hits: We're still waiting for that first interview with new Bucks forward Richard Jefferson... Buzz Williams is making a strong first impression. Several movers and shakers around town have met with the Marquette coach in recent weeks and have been impressed with his organization, honesty and commitment... With the economy faltering and the Iraq War continuing, the Summer Olympics may provide a needed distraction next month... Remember when Wimbledon was must-see TV? These days, it's hard to sit through the highlights.