Indians set to shop Sabathia

CLEVELAND – It’s time for the Cleveland Indians to surrender.

A promising season sabotaged by injuries to star players and underachievement by most others has reached its point of no return. The defending A.L. Central champions are in last place, 121/2 games back in their division and on the verge of an overhaul – one that will likely include trading ace C.C. Sabathia.

The left-hander, eligible for free agency following the World Series, may be down to his final days with the Indians, who drafted him in 1998 and now can’t afford to keep him.

Sabathia rejected a four-year, $72 million contract extension during spring training, when he announced that he was putting off further negotiations on any deal until after the season.