In light of today's trade of John Axford to the Cardinals for a player to be named later, here are the top five most surprising Brewers moves.

5. Paul Molitor is allowed to leave via free agency

_{Photo: WikiCommons}

After the Brewers re-signed him as a free agent following the 1987 season, Molitor was allowed to walk away after the 1992 season in which he hit .320. He signed in Toronto, where he helped the Blue Jays win two World Series titles. He was the 1993 World Series MVP, appeared in two more All-Star games and collected his 3,000th hit with the Minnesota Twins in 1996.

4. Gorman Thomas is traded to the Cleveland Indians

On June 6, 1983 the fan favorite Thomas is dealt away with Ernie Camacho and Jamie Easterly for Rick Manning and Rick Waits, just a year after Stormin' helped the Brewers reach the World Series.

3. Zack Greinke is acquired

On Dec. 19, 2010 the Brewers traded four top prospects (Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi) to the Kansas City Royals for former American League Cy Young winner and Yuniesky Betancourt. Greinke went 25-9 for the Brewers and helped them reach the 2011 National League Championship Series.

2. Rollie Fingers, Pete Vuckovich and Ted Simmons are acquired

_{Photo: Dlz28 | WikiCommons}
On Dec. 12, 1980 catcher Ted Simmons, pitcher Pete Vuckovich and closer Rollie Fingers in exchange for outfielders Sixto Lezcano and David Green and pitchers Lary Sorensen and Dave LaPoint setting the Brewers up for a playoff appearance in 1981 and a trip to the World Series in '82.

1. CC Sabathia is acquired
_{Photo: Keith Allison | WikiCommons}

The Brewers shocked all of baseball on July 7, 2008 when they sent top prospect Matt LaPorta and two others to the Cleveland Indians for the former AL Cy Young winner. Sabathia went 11-2 with a 1.65 earned run average in 17 starts, tossing 130 2/3 innings in leading the Brewers into the playoffs. After the season, Sabathia inked a seven-year, $161 million deal with the Yankees.