A good deal for the Yankees
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 31, 2007 
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Scott Proctor for Wilson Betemit is a very proactive move by the Yankees.
The 30-year-old Proctor has made 135 appearances and thrown 156.2 innings since he start of last season. He has not commanded his secondary pitches as well as they hoped he would at this point in his career. At his age, he quite likely is what he is going to be. That’s a pitcher for the sixth or seventh inning.
Those kind of players can be found internally and externally quite easily. The Yankees have three of them in Edwar Ramirez, Jim Brower and Chris Britton.
Betemit is only 25 and while .231 with 10 homers and 26 RBI may not seem like much, he has a .359 on-base percentage. The Yankees also have three players (A-Rod, Matsui and Posada) with more than nine homers. They are in no position to scoff at a player with good power. He’s also 8 of 25 as a pinch hitter.
Betemit has never played first base but at 6-3, I suspect he could handle it.
At worse, they have a strong utility player moving forward. At best, he could end up playing regularly. If A-Rod walks, he could play third assuming they upgraded elsewhere.
agreed, Peter !
Please, PLEASE, let the next update be the news that Farnsworthless has been traded….Gagne I couldn’t care less about at this point. Cashman, PLEASE, get Kyle outta here!!!!
I look forward to seeing Betemit play
Unfortunately this probably kills any chance for a Mike Lamb deal. I can’t imagine Torre agreeing to waive Cairo.
I like this move.
Proctor peaked, as you say Peter. Betemit is young, can flash some power, and upgrades a weak hitting bench along with Molina.
Add in the A-Rod-insurance, and Cashman just made the Yankees better for this season and next all for the price of a middling reliever who fell under the Rasputin-like powers of Kyle “What’s a Few Home Runs” Farnsworth.
Now speaking of Krazy Kyle…
Who said anything about waiving Cairo — Basak is going down..poor guy.
Pete: Is there any discussion of bringing Karstens up? With the loss of Proctor, Karstens is probably the best long inning relief option out there,
the Dodger site says Betemit is 27 not 25, what is correct???
Another way the bullpen can improve……the starters have to go deeper in games on a more consistent basis.
The 5 inning starts have done as much damage to the team as the bullpen foibles.
If I was Moose, I’d be nervous right now. If he can’t go deeper into games, Ian Kennedy will be the next callup. He isn’t in AAA to sample Scranton food.
One thing we are seeing…..times are a changin’ for the Yankees. They are no longer afraid to call up young players and put them in the mix.
I say, THANK GOD THEY WOKE UP TO THIS REVELATION!! The only time this team has looked like they have a pulse is when the younger players (and an “old young guy” named Clemens) are in the mix.
With Hughes, Chamberlain and Ramirez on the staff, and Melky playing well, perhaps this team has a kick in them for the next two months. Younger players=more energy and this team needs all the energy it can muster for the next two months.
As far as the deal, its a no brainer. A 25 year old SH with power, who can play several positions, over an average RH relief pitcher. If you are the Yankees, you make that deal in your sleep.
It must be a good deal for the Yankees, didn’t take long for the west coast fans to complain about the deal. However, a change of scenery + weaker league + a compassionate manager (j/k) may = a revival for Scotty and his arm.
Please say this means Cairo is gone Pete… PLEASE.
So we made the bullpen weaker and got another Cairo who will sit on the bench and not play…. so we have Phillips, Duncan, and Betemit to platoon at first base.. unless we get Gagne this makes no sense
Great move, the Yanks have really capitalized on the overpriced relief pitching market here. Makes you wonder what the price for Gagne will ultimately be if the Yanks can get a useful, possibly starting, but definitely useful utility player.
Is this official?
I can’t find anything saying this is a done deal.
If true, we owe a hearty farewell and appreciation to Scott Proctor for giving the Yanks two good years. He was obviously a hard worker who although he wasn’t as consistent as we would have liked this year, Joe T. rode him like rented mule and he always took the ball when asked.
Done deal for Yankees: Betemit coming, Proctor going
By PETER ABRAHAM
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 31, 2007)
The Yankees have obtained infielder Wilson Betemit from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed reliever Scott Proctor.
The 25-year-old Betemit was hitting .230 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI as a backup for the Dodgers. He can play third base, second base and shortstop.
Proctor has been one of the team’s primary relievers the last two seasons. He was 2-5 with a 3.81 ERA this season but has pitched poorly in recent weeks.
*The Yankees continue to pursue Texas reliever Eric Gagne as the 4 p.m. trade deadline approaches. The Red Sox, Cubs and Mets are also in the mix on that deal.*
RELIABLE SOURCE HERE….LOL !!! Thanks, Peter !
Not sure about this move…
Betemit will be a solid bench player. A bench player and no more. With Proctor on the way out, and Gagne most likely going to the Brewers, Joba Chamberlain will be joining this club in a matter of days (especially since in his first and only inning of relief pitching last night, he struck out the side).
Where does that leave us with Farnsworth? It looks like there are no takers (surprise, surprise) and that we are stuck with this guy in our BP.
To me this trade is like kissing your sister. What position does Betemit put us in to push for the wild card or division? I think Yankee fans are going to have to be content with the additions of Hughes and Chamberlain. And IMO, those two could be the best additions by any contender.
What’s the liklihood that Scotty will bad mouth Torre about being used to much. Hope this deal works out this season and beyond.
Can someone tell me why 1050 is talking basketball when the trade deadline is hours away. I can’t listen to mad dog, i want my lunch to stay down. But i’m dying for some baseball talk.
Done deal for Yankees: Betemit coming, Proctor going
By PETE ABRAHAM
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: July 31, 2007)
The Yankees have obtained infielder Wilson Betemit from the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed reliever Scott Proctor.
The 25-year-old Betemit was hitting .230 with 10 home runs and 26 RBI as a backup for the Dodgers. He can play third base, second base and shortstop.
Proctor has been one of the team’s primary relievers the last two seasons. He was 2-5 with a 3.81 ERA this season but has pitched poorly in recent weeks.
*The Yankees continue to pursue Texas reliever Eric Gagne as the 4 p.m. trade deadline approaches. The Red Sox, Cubs and Mets are also in the mix on that deal.*
RELIABLE SOURCE HERE….LOL !!! Thanks, Peter !
Peter,
Is there anything brewing on the F-worth front?
Considering how bad Kyle has pitched and behaved, you’d think Cash has been trying to move him. The reason he has not moved already, has got to be the lion’s share of teams want the Yankees to eat most of his salary.
Cash is obviously balking at this or negotiating for a better player back.
Proctor gone, good. If F-worth goes, that would be great.
j
Kyle can go to Colorado, they would take him…
Mad Dog shouldn’t even have a job
Mad dog never heard of Chamberlain.
He still thinks Matt Cain (3-12) is the best pithcer in baseball.
Yesterday, he “crunched some numbers” and figured out that even though the Yanks are only 4 games out, they have no chance!
As much as he’s been inconsistent, I’ll miss Proctor. I always felt he was giving it all and I wish him nothing but the best in LA. He seemed like a good guy and a good teammate, unlike Farnsworth. I hope LA gives him a break between appearances and he can cash in when it’s his time. Say what you want, but Proctor has made peanuts the past few years and he deserves to set up his family like Farnsworth has been able to.
I’m like Betemit more now that I’ve read a lot about him. I hope he can help and gets some at bats to show us what he can do.
JeffNJ -
*Doreen, re your quote “I can’t believe the irresponsibility of someone writing that Betemit is insurance against A-Rod opting out. How utterly ridiculous.� you may want to see Peter’s next post which expilicitly mentions Wilson as a possible A Rod substitute. When will people learn we don’t need an all star at every position?*
I am not one of those who believes the Yankees need an all-star at every position. I will suspend judgment on Betemit — I have never seen him play and until a few weeks ago, never heard his name. I’m trying to play catch-up by looking up stats and reading people’s opinions and feelings about the trade.
Frankly, if all Betemit ever is is a more solid utility player who can supply power, especially off the bench, that is a good move. I just don’t want to push A-Rod out the door, you know?
OPS+
Betemit: 116
Phillips: 107
Melky: 104
Damon: 84
Cairo: 72
Great move by Cash, he should cycle in with Phillips at 1b and give A Rod, Jeter, and Cano rests when they need it and also pinch hit in certain spots. He can even give Abreu a night off in RF.
Im surprised Mike & Mike didn’t spend their whole program on what Vick had for breakfast and who is playing for USC this year.
Looks like a good deal to me – better than Proctor for Wigginton at least.
This trade must have caused something to explode in Torre’s brain.
Jennifer:
Steven A. Smith is the worst, that’s why they’re not talking baseball on 1050. He has marginal (at best) knowledge of baseball and really is only well versed in basketball. Now he’s talking about the NFL. What a joke.
Steven A. Smith knows nothing about basketball. He will talk baseball when he can get one of ESPN’s “analysts” like Olney, Phillips, or Gammons.
I agree, I want to keep A Rod too. Who wouldn’t? I did find it interesting that someone else posted the Yankees only have 3 players with more HR’s at this point and Betemit doesn’t play too often. Plus the 8 for 25 pinch hitting comes in handy (especially playing in a NL park in October).
Marc,
You’re right… My apologies, Steven A. Smith knows nothing about any sport. My head hurts every time I hear his voice and am reminded that he actually hosts a sports talk show.
Any truth to Steven A. Smith replacing Bob Barker on the Price Is Right?
Drew Carey. You’re probably being sarcastic but i figured i’d inform you.
I like Betemit and think Cash stole him for a guy whose best days are gone and who I never really trusted anyway. Still, if we don’t add a better bullpen arm we’ll have a hell of alot riding on Chamberlin and/or Ramirez.
I’d do Horne and a lesser prospect for Gagne and call it a bargain. The bullpen is our one significant weakness and if we end up two or three games out of the playoffs because some rook or Mike Myers got lit up down the stretch, all because we wouldn’t part with the fourth best guy (maybe) in our farm system, I for one will be pissed.
Don’t forget, we’ve made hay in the past dealing so-called can’t miss guys at the deadline. (See: Marty Janzen for Cone, Matt Drews for Fielder, Claussen for Boone) Considering we’ve got at least 3 guys we like more than Horne, I’d follow Schurholez’s lead and try to win now.
This deal should be a prelude to getting another arm in there.
randyhater is spot on.
It’s not like Horne is even in your top 3 of best prospects.
You have to give up something to get something.
“If I was Moose, I’d be nervous right now. If he can’t go deeper into games, Ian Kennedy will be the next callup. He isn’t in AAA to sample Scranton food.”
The idea of Mussina being “nervous” is foolish because he can only drop to 5th starter when Hughes returns. Joe Torre will not have Mussina pitch out of the bullpen. I would think that every 5th day Chamberlain gets a call to be ready to take over for Mussina. That way he gets experience as a long reliever pitching 2 or 3 innings and Torre can’t burn his arm out. The fifth starter becomes the combination of Mussina/Chamberlain.
Looks like Gagne is going to the Red Sox. Insult to injury.
Buster was just on ESPN saying the Red Sox are in the driver seat for Gagne. No word on the package yet or how close the deal is. That is annoying if it is true.
Question about all our pitching prospects: How many of them are up for grabs in the rule 5 draft next year and is there room on the 40 man to protect them all? If not, then we obviously need to move some of them to make sure they don’t just get lifted.
Its interesting in those reports what they wanted from the Yankees vs what they wanted from the Red Sox for Gagne.
Hmmmm…the Gagne to BoSox thing seems unlikely to me. Perhaps Buster’s sources in Boston (maybe) or Texas (more likely) are using him to shake Cash and/or the Boss up a bit. I could be wrong, but….75 minutes till we see, I guess.
do you think Betemit is going 2 play 2 night and who eles do you think the yankees will get and who did the red sox get and hope me a good trip i am going on a cruise the sips name is crown princes we leave toworrow
Gagne won’t go to Boston. Theyre in EVERY trade mix that we are in because they want us out of that trade mix. Like Teixeira for instance. They have Youkilis and Lowell and Ortiz at all the places Tex could have played. They just say they’re in it to drive up the price that we have to pay.
Moving Proctor, OK, but not the priority. We did not move Farnsworth – that is the priority. I am concerned about the message this sends our core group on the team. He defied Torre and Posada, and we don’t get rid of him. Eat his salary…hey with Pavano and Iggy, whats another 7 mill. Moving a bad egg sends word that we will not tolerate that behavior.
Speaking of bad messages…we get a 260 career utility infielder? what message does that send to all position players in our farm system? You have no chance to make it on this team…with Torre unwilling to give “kids” a shot. Where will he fit given Giambi is due back in the next few weeks…one of the kids – who already have not been given a fair chance will be sent back down again.
Sad..on the one hand we want to build the farm system for the future, then we either burn up pitching or bring the kids up to sit on the bench and then send them back.