Yankees Still Pursuing Wilson Betemit

The Yankees' love affair for 27 year-old infielder Wilson Betemit continues.  They keep trying to swap Scott Proctor for him, this time with the Dodgers instead of the Braves.

The Dodgers are definitely searching for late-inning relief help, but Joel Sherman and Mike Puma of the New York Post say Proctor doesn't do it for them.

Betemit began the year as the Dodgers' regular third baseman, but hit his way out of the job after about a month.  I'll be the first to admit I thought he'd keep the job and OPS at least .800.  But to be fair, Betemit's OPS is over .800 - a career best .844 in fact.  He's got 28 home runs over his last 515 ABs, and he's drawn enough walks this year to keep his OBP strong.

The switch-hitting Betemit has never hit southpaws much, but he's going to need full exposure to them if he's ever going to learn.  It's kind of a catch-22.  I still think he can carve out a career as a regular, maybe as an offensive-minded second baseman. 

Proctor for Betemit would be a fine move for the Yankees.  He wouldn't have a regular job but could spend some time at first this year and offer an insurance policy for Alex Rodriguez next year.  If A-Rod is to depart, the Yankees could spend the extra cash to improve at a position other than third.

Comments

[achilles17]

I don't understand why there are so many rumors surrounding Proctor. Yes, he has been inconsistent, but his stats for the year are still decent. If the Yankees want to contend this year (and given their recent play, coupled with their soft schedule, they certainly do as of now), they are not going to trade Proctor. They could trade Farnsworth and Myers, but not potentially helpful members of their pen.

This trade is very future minded, as it is possible that next year Proctor's arm will have fallen off and Arod will have left, meaning Betemit would be a decent stopgap for Miguel Cabrera. But until they decide to give up for the season, this trade makes no sense. Betemit can't help them in the here and now, and Proctor potentially can.

[J.L.]

Dont get why the Dodgers *wouldn't* do this since they refuse to let Betemit get the majority of playing time at 3rd, instead playing Nomar, who is black hole offensively. Interesting that last night they installed Betemit midgame at SS, the position he originally came up as.

[jza1218]

I think that the mindset is that Proctor has basically hit his peak and that the Yankees feel that they can get good production out of the rest of the bullpen (I still don't understand why they haven't used Chris Britton more to be honest).

At 30 years old, you can't expect Proctor to keep up this production and with Torre's usage of him, one has to worry if his arm is due to fall off.

Regarding Farnsworth, considering his contract and paired with his production, the Yankees can't expect to get any real value back in return and they might even have to eat most of the cash being paid to him.

I don't think that Proctor's name is out there in general, but these newsbits are implying that he's available but ONLY if the return is someone that the Yankees are very high on. In that context, I don't think that the Yankees are making a bad move at all.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

I can't imagine any GM ever trading for a Yankees relief pitcher. At least not any of the ones that Cashman would shop.

[Bosox4416]

Glad that the Dodgers won't do this. They could get alot more than Procter for him

[achilles17]

There is no way the Yankees feel they can get good production out of the rest of their bullpen. Vizcaino has been good recently, Mo is Mo...and that's it. Bruney and Villone could be decent, and Farnsworth and Myers are awful. The club is actively trying to trade Farnsworth, simply because it would be addition by subtraction (nevermind the fact that Britton has been eating up AAA all year), but as you said he isn't easy to move. But that doesn't mean they should move one of their effective relievers instead.

As I said before, this move is entirely future minded. Proctor's value probably is at its peak now, or will be in the next few weeks. However, he can still help the club this year. Trading him for a backup infielder isn't quite throwing in the towel, but it's close. All that is important is that Proctor can help the club win now, and Betemit cannot. Next year he might have more value, but knowing the Yankees, they are focused on this year first and foremost, until they are totally out of it. Which they are not.

[ca!i sty!e]

Proctor sucks. Gettig rid of him is worth protection for next year incase arod leaves. Betemit is a move NY is making for this season....thats clearly obvious.

Unfortunitely for the yankees this deal will never happen. Sorry.

[ca!i sty!e]

Betemit is NOT a move NY is making to help them this season.

Meaning, losing Proctor this year wont make or break the yankees.

[achilles17]

Regardless of your opinion on Proctor, he is currently the Yankees third best reliever, behind Mo and Vizcaino (at least this recent version of Vizcaino). Even if you think he stinks, which he doesn't, he still has decent numbers. He is inconsistent, but if you're fighting for a playoff spot, you can't afford to trade your third best reliever without getting bullpen help in return.

Also, what message does this send to Arod? To me, it kind of says, "We can do without you" which isn't the attitude you want him to think you have going into contract negotiations. This trade won't happen. Trust me.

[buehrlebro]

Here's a thought. Maybe the Twins could afford him? Decent production from a position they so desperately need. Perhaps Slowey could suffice? I don't think the Twins can afford to break up the core of their strong bullpen though with Crain and Perkins out. LA could use Slowey in a relief role, where pitching in Dodgers Stadium as a reliever could ease him into the majors rather than trial by fire in the brutal AL Central.

[ArodSucksAtLife]

"Perhaps Slowey could suffice?"

Slowey would command way more of a haul than Betemit.

That and when was the last time the Twins traded a young pitcher.

[Pimpinpinstripes]

I agree, Betemit makes much more sense for the Twins right now. But how is Betemit's defense? The Twins rely heavily on their infield defense.

[J.L.]

Betemit's defense is serviceable.. and he can fill in at SS and 2B if need be. I wouldn't be suprised if Betemit is included in a package for a SP or RP but I'd be suprised if its Proctor. I don't think they'd want someone as unproven as Slowey.

[darkstar1661]

I think BoSox said it best...
"Glad that the Dodgers won't do this. They could get alot more than Procter for him"

LA should package Betemit and a lower level prospect in an attempt to get Dye in my mind. Dye has been on their radar for a while now, ChiSox desperately need middle infield help and the Dodgers just refuse to play him anyway. The ChiSox should be happy with that return as its an instant ML return with upside plus another guy, so they can keep their fantasy of competing next year. And Wilson can play either position which wouldn’t limit the return Chi would seek for one of the pitchers…

[J.L.]

So where would Dye be playing, 3rd base? There's no room for him unless someone in the outfield is also traded. If the D's trade for anything I bet it will be SP/RP. Dye is useless to them, like someone else mentioned its unlikely Dye would outhit Kemp by much anyways.

[darkstar1661]

Maybe I’m wrong, just seemed like a smart fit to me for them to get what they have said multiple times they wanted…

[J.L.]

I don't think they've ever said they wanted Dye, writers have assumed it and i don't think there's really alot to it. And pitching for them remains a bigger problem then offense.

[buehrlebro]

If Ethier or Kemp was part of a Dye trade they would have a spot for him. Although I don't think Kemp would be.

[lih]

The dodger outfield is Gonzo, Pierre, and Kemp/Ethier, so they still wouldn't have a spot.

[darkstar1661]

ok, again sorry... Just seemed like a good trade to help both teams if the team was thinking they could flip Ethier off for some Stud arm or something. I just remember hearing every 15mins that they wanted him so badly and said "hey, heres a match that fits both teams needs"

... forget my Dodger/ChiSox trade idea, please continue the Dodger/Yankee talk instead...

[jskohl]

The Dodgers sent Tony Abreu down to Las Vegas, and brought up Roberto Hernandez. Obviously Ned Colletti is desperate for Relief pitching. Chad Billingsly was a little shakey today. Mark Hendrickson was absolute crap yesterday. And Brett Tomko has been awful. Wilson Betemit has been a great source of power, and he should be playing third base everyday. Unfortunately
the Dodger signed Nomar for two years with a no-trade clause. Ned Colletti needs to focus on pitching, and he should worry about a power hitter in the offseason. Wilson Betemit could bring back something nice, much more than Proctor alone. If anyone moves, it will probably be Andre Ethier or Delwyn Young.

[jaysfan]

What about Ethier for Jason Jennings of HOU,since HOU is falling out of it.

[J.L.]

I don't think Ethier could fetch Jennings. LaRoche could though, as the Astros need a 3b and he's been hitting well in Vegas of late. Of course, that would be the ultimate prospect for a rental, but... I agree they should focus ALL efforts on getting a solid SP. The offense will be OK.

[jskohl]

If Chicago is shopping Jose Contreras, he might be a better pick up for the Dodgers. Even if it costs them Matt Kemp, the Dodgers might be better off. The last thing the Dodgers want to do is trade one of their youngsters for a half season rental. Andre Ethier will do fine until the off-season. If Andre Ethier were injured, Delwyn Young could always be called up. Remember, Jason Repko will be back next year, and Colletti could go after Andruw Jones this winter.

[darkstar1661]

“I don't think Ethier could fetch Jennings. LaRoche could though, as the Astros need a 3b and he's been hitting well in Vegas of late. Of course, that would be the ultimate prospect for a rental, but... I agree they should focus ALL efforts on getting a solid SP. The offense will be OK”

Wouldn’t this defeat the purpose? The whole point is that the Dodgers don’t trust Betemit enough to give him the job at 3rd meaning he’s expendable and it goes to LaRoach by default. Trading him would actually have the team take a huge step backward…

Smarter would be talking Betemit + Either + maybe 2nd tier guy for Garland + MacCougal from the ChiSox. The Sox fill two holes in the form of a middle infielder and an OFer for next year; Dodgers fill two holes in a reliever and a starter who is more than just a rental.

Otherwise, Betemit + 2nd tier Pros is about as high as I think they would go for Jennings if Hou was asking for a guy for 3rd…

[J.L.]

I agree. I was just thinking that with the SP market being extremely thin even Jennings will have a high price, and that Astros would prefer LaRoche. Maybe Betemit and a prospect could get it done as well. Neither guy is untouchable and whoever isn't dealt becomes the default 3b. While the Dodgers have had their problems with Betemit I think his lack of playing time has more to do with loyalty to Nomar anything else.

[darkstar1661]

Actually JL, I think the Starter market is kind of over-flooded when we keep hearing about so many guys rumored to be avail and only a couple teams looking for one... I just mentioned it in the other thread, what we have only really heard Atl, LD, SD, NYM and Sea as really looking for a starter ~ and with NY getting Pedro back soon and SD not hurting with what they got it even gets thinner...

[JD]

I don't understand why the Yankees would want Betemit. I can understand why they would like him - switch-hitter that can play multiple spots, is young/cheap and has power....but they have nowhere to put him. First base? No...the bottom line is that the Yanks need Proctor more than they need Betemit, who would simply be a once-a-week starter and pinch hitter. Proctor is still a candidate for the 8th innning and easily the 7th. Doesn't make sense for the Yankees. Period.

[jskohl]

I agree. I think the Marling or the ChiSox would make a better trade partner with LA then the Yanks.

[ProjectMayhem]

For those who are talking about LA trading Kemp I am guessing you have never seen the guy play. There is NO way he is going anywhere for anyone. The guys is a 5-tool player who projects as a 35-40 HR guy in his prime with speed. LA missed their chance to trade Ethier this past offseason when his trade value was high. I still think they are able to piece together something for Dunn which makes the most sense. If Billingsley was pitching better and Wolf was healthy they may have considered moving Penny. Anything they can get without moving Broxton, Billingsley, Elbert or Kemp is a steal...

[lih]

I think you must have not seen Ethier play recently. He's now hitting over .300 and with an obp around .360 or so. He's got just as much value as he had last year. There's an article in today's LA Times about how he is has greatly benefitted from Mueller's appointment as hitting coach. He's going to stick around for next year to play left field. No sense in trading him unless you can get a young starter with at least #3 potential. Even then, I'd rather stand pat. They are the best in the NL already.

[ProjectMayhem]

Actually I have seen Ethier as I watch most Dodger games and I stand by my comment. Last year people were projecting him as a 25-30 HR guy with double digit speed. He now projects as a 20 HR guy and has yet to steal a base this season through 91 games. Also, his defense has been questioned as his arm strength is below-average. They would have been better off trading him after last year when his value was higher...

[lih]

I don't recall anyone projecting him that high last year. When the bradley trade went through they said he could be a high average guy who could hit 15-20 homers a year and maybe 15 SBs. He's now looking like a 25 HR guy.