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Rays Acquire Christian Bethancourt

By TC Zencka | July 9, 2022 at 12:50pm CDT

Christian Bethancourt said his goodbyes to his Oakland teammates today, per Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter). The A’s traded Bethancourt to the Rays in exchange for a pair of minor leaguers, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter). In exchange for Bethancourt, the Rays sent outfielder Cal Stevenson and right-hander Christian Fernandez to Oakland, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan (via Twitter). Both teams have announced the deal.

Bethancourt, 30, made it back to the Majors for the first time since 2017. His career began, however, all the way back in 2013 with the Braves. Atlanta eventually traded him to the Padres, where he played from 2016-2017. To that point in his career, Bethancourt owned a .222/.252/.316 line across 489 plate appearances. Since then, Bethancourt has been stuck in Triple-A – with the Brewers in 2018 and the Pirates in 2021.

This season, Bethancourt has burst back onto the scene for an Oakland club that’s largely treading water. The right-handed hitter has slashed .249/.298/.385 in 182 plate appearances while catching and playing first base. He’s also spent ten games as the designated hitter.

For the Rays, they’re getting a versatile defender who can handle the catching spot. Tampa loves defensive versatility, and Bethancourt’s ability to move around the diamond will at least make it possible to keep three catchers on the roster when Mike Zunino returns from injury.

Of course, the Rays haven’t gotten much offense from any catcher on the roster. Zunino registered a measly 43 wRC+ at the dish before going on the injured list, with backup Rene Pinto posting a 27 wRC+ in 51 plate appearances and Francisco Mejia topping the group with a 74 wRC+. Bethancourt’s 99 wRC+ improves upon that lot, but more than that, he gives the Rays some depth at a position where it was previously lacking.

The Rays were thought to have some interest in Willson Contreras, perhaps the top trade available trade target on the market, though The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal noted a reticence on Tampa’s part to pay high-end prospects for a rental like Contreras. Acquiring Bethancourt doesn’t necessarily take Tampa out of the running for Contreras, but it gives them plenty of leverage in later negotiations.

In many ways, Bethancourt represents a sort of everyman version of Contreras. He’s an offensive upgrade who bats right-handed and can move around the diamond when needed. To his advantage, Bethancourt doesn’t carry the financial obligations that Contreras does, perhaps giving Tampa another reason to consummate this deal now. By making the move today, the Rays give themselves a month to reassess their situation and decide if a bigger splash is necessary.

The Rays designated David McKay for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Bethancourt. After spending most of the spring with the Rays, McKay latched on with the Yankees to start the season. The Rays claimed him off waivers, but he has spent most of the season in Triple-A. He’ll again now be exposed to waivers.

As for Oakland, they’ll pick up a pair of minor leaguers for a veteran that probably didn’t fit on their next contender. MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos provides this quote from manager Mark Kotsay, who said, “Christian did a great job while he was here. It’s tough trading a player who has had an impact on and off the field. He’s been a leader in that clubhouse. .. I’m happy for him that he’s going to a team in contention and in need of catching.” Kotsay still has two catchers on the roster in Sean Murphy and Stephen Vogt.

For Oakland, neither player coming back is a top prospect, but that doesn’t mean they have no future in the bigs. Besides, considering Oakland’s minimal investment in Bethancourt, two minor leaguers is a solid return for the utility catcher.

Stevenson isn’t a top prospect, but he’s a fast-enough outfielder whose ability to play centerfield provides a cleaner path to the Majors than most, despite already being 25 years old. Originally a 10th-round draft choice by the Toronto Blue Jays, Stevenson has spent the past two seasons in the Rays farm system. In Triple-A this year, the southpaw has hit .265/.376/.353 in 203 plate appearances.

Fernandez was signed originally by the Rays out of Venezuela back in 2016. The 22-year-old registered a 2.79 ERA across 58 innings for the Single-A Charleston RiverDogs. He will go to High-A where he will join the Lansing rotation.

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Newsstand Oakland Athletics Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Christian Bethancourt David McKay

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View Comments (62)
Post a Comment

62 Comments

  1. ajrodz1335

    3 years ago

    This better not be Zunino’s replacement

    Reply
    • case

      3 years ago

      He’s a platoon player that can move around the diamond and gets benched against pitchers that give him trouble, I don’t think he’s fully replacing anybody.

      2
      Reply
  2. Monkey’s Uncle

    3 years ago

    He’s quietly been a nice little comeback story this season.

    19
    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      Yes, (unfortunately) I’ve watched him a lot this year and while he’s never going to set the world on fire, he looks good for 2-ish WAR spread out over C/1B/DH, which is a nice bench piece for the contending Rays to load up with. Has good pop too.

      As for Beane, wow, turned a lifetime AAAA scrub into a nice pitching prospect and a high OBP OF depth piece. Still got it!

      4
      Reply
      • Sideline Redwine

        3 years ago

        I follow all levels of the Rays–never heard of either guy. Beane did well to get anything for him, but don’t expect either guy to be a difference maker.

        7
        Reply
        • ARC 2

          3 years ago

          Fernandez put up solid numbers out of the bullpen so he could be a solid relief pitcher in the bigs but first see what he can do at AA. Stevenson is a 4th outfielder type that puts up good OBA something the A’s lack.

          Reply
        • A'sfaninUK

          3 years ago

          Honestly Stevenson for Betancourt straight up was a fair swap, but getting a 22 year old at A ball with a 2.79 ERA and 87 Ks against 25 walks in 58 innings is potentially a slam dunk W for both sides if the Rays can further unlock Betancourt’s bat.

          2
          Reply
        • ARC 2

          3 years ago

          I am surprised there are some A’s fans not happy about the trade since Bethancourt is hitting 249 with not very much power. Rays did not give up a top 30 prospsect for him so their fans are happy.

          Reply
        • A'sfaninUK

          3 years ago

          In my encounters, there’s a lot of online A’s fans who just don’t know ball. It’s sad. Like, how can anyone be unhappy about this? Anytime you flip a minor league free agent signing into a tradeable asset, its a W for the org. 100% of the time this is fact.

          Betancourt is 30 years old, the A’s should have no one over 30 on this roster, period. A+ trade by Billy here and the contending Rays gave up nothing on their (stacked) end.

          Fernandez might sneak onto some top 30 prospect lists next year if he keeps this season up.

          4
          Reply
        • myaccount2

          3 years ago

          @Sideline- You follow all levels of the Rays and never heard of Stevenson? I’m not even a Rays fan and am aware of him.

          5
          Reply
        • case

          3 years ago

          I only did a brief skim but I didn’t see a single A’s fan complaining about the trade. Who exactly is speaking for our fanbase?

          Reply
        • ARC 2

          3 years ago

          I saw them complaining on the facebook page about the trade.

          Reply
    • statman

      3 years ago

      Exciting time for a’s fans … both of ‘em!

      3
      Reply
      • ARC 2

        3 years ago

        Statman is a legend in his own mind. His team is 10 games out of a playoff spot and lowest attendance in the last 20 years so why he hating on A’s?

        3
        Reply
    • Mr. E Team

      3 years ago

      Is Betancourt the one player that was mentioned in the Top 50 list? I thought it was pretty comprehensive then the A’s do this!

      Reply
      • case

        3 years ago

        Well, that list also put Andrew Benintendi at number 2 and listed Steven Vogt as one of the A’s trade candidates. We’ll trade you Vogt for bus fare and a high five.

        Reply
  3. cmac2230

    3 years ago

    xBA of .293, xSLG of .570, 90th percentile in average exit velocity

    The Rays know what they’re doing and will find a way to unlock his guy’s potential

    5
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      3 years ago

      Never make trades with the Rays.

      13
      Reply
      • pt57

        3 years ago

        The A’s seem to do OK despite a comically low budget.

        6
        Reply
      • hiflew

        3 years ago

        The Rays don’t really do better than anyone else with trades. They lose about as many as they win. Development is where they are head and shoulders above the rest.

        6
        Reply
      • ARC 2

        3 years ago

        Funny how the Yanks trade only their poor prospects so the same could be said for NYY. Gray trade showed the NYY players are over rated since only 1 done anything for the A’s.

        Reply
        • Joe says...

          3 years ago

          The return for Gray has nothing to do with “over rated”. Two of the three players the A’s got were injured at the time of the trade. Kaprelian had been injured most of the time he was in the Yankees minor league system and the outfielder (I suddenly can’t remember his name) had a very bad knee injury. It may be fair to call Mateo over rated but the rest is on Billy B.

          2
          Reply
        • case

          3 years ago

          In his rookie year Kaprelian had a 4.07 era with over 100 ip. If things continue at that pace I’d say 6 years of control there is a win for Forst.

          1
          Reply
        • Y2KAK

          3 years ago

          Dustin Fowler

          1
          Reply
        • ARC 2

          3 years ago

          I can think of a lot of NYY prospects that turned to bust once traded out of their system. Montero who was to be the great hitter is a good example. Cashman is just smart and doesn’t trade players of value.

          Reply
        • hiflew

          3 years ago

          Even if just 1 “done anything” for the A’s, that would be more than the Yanks got in the deal.

          Reply
      • rondon

        3 years ago

        Arc… Man, I hope this guy works for the Rays, cause they’d find some way to fleece Hoyer for Contreras.

        Reply
      • rockofloveusa1

        3 years ago

        it look like rays under paid a little. looking at trade value.

        Reply
  4. davidk1979

    3 years ago

    They should have aimed higher for Sean Murphy.

    5
    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      Gotta totally gut the farm for him, not sure the Rays operate like that.

      5
      Reply
    • pt57

      3 years ago

      Maybe this is a p

      Reply
      • pt57

        3 years ago

        … a precursor to a Contreras trade. Need a CA to send back to the Cubs.

        (Joke)

        1
        Reply
    • case

      3 years ago

      Murphy is more for a team that can just buy free agents and doesn’t have to worry about diminishing their farm system.

      Reply
  5. StudWinfield

    3 years ago

    And trade deadline chess begins.

    4
    Reply
  6. Ronk325

    3 years ago

    Does this open the door for Langeliers to make his big league debut?

    6
    Reply
    • sorrynotsorry

      3 years ago

      I sure hope so, this team is super boring to watch fail night after night.

      Reply
      • A'sfaninUK

        3 years ago

        Nick Allen is a superstar, calling it now. Has identical body type to Altuve and seems to have locked in on his swing mechanics, the hitting will improve because his IQ is sky high and the defense? He should be getting a gold glove at 2B or SS this year. Hope the A’s trade Andrus next so Allen can be everyday and we can have at least one elite player to watch.

        2
        Reply
        • pileofsandwich

          3 years ago

          Nick Allen has shown you enough for you to think he will be a superstar? Besides the great insight that he is short like Altuve… even though he is taller and skinnier… so they aren’t similar in body type, what else has he shown you? Is it having 1 more hit than Ks? Is it getting on base 24 times with 5 XBHs of his 80 plate appearances? His 23 total bases and 311 SLG? He has pretty good defense, but pretty good defense. Isn’t going to make you a superstar…

          3
          Reply
        • A'sfaninUK

          3 years ago

          Nick Allen isn’t “shorter and skinnier” – where did you get that? Literally watch the Astros/A’s games they are playing right NOW, they look identical IRL.

          You have a very standoffish approach here, it seems like you only looked at numbers and didn’t watch the games. I am PROJECTING on him, you are…using his current numbers? Like, why? Do you not understand how projecting players works?

          Allen has great bat speed and a swing modeled on Altuve’s. He’s very young and raw, but once again, I am PROJECTING on him, so why on earth did you think I meant his current stats = his ceiling? Answer me that. Oh, right, you don’t watch him live, you can’t see potential, all you know is online. Nick Allen very easily could be Altuve + 100x better defense + plays SS = superstar. That’s all you need to know, if you know ball.

          Stop living online and watch games before coming at me with this disrespectful post. Why do I think what I do? I know ball. Watch me be right here, where will you be then? With the apology? Nope! Just a clown mindset. Grow up.

          Reply
        • jmchale40

          3 years ago

          God I hate A’sfaninuk

          1
          Reply
  7. Adampunk13

    3 years ago

    Another underrated star for the rays? Like issac Parades.

    2
    Reply
    • RunDMC

      3 years ago

      No, but he’s an above-average super-UT player that can even give some garbage IP. Would love to see a double-header where they try him at every position. Glad he’s getting another shot.

      2
      Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      Paredes was a legit prospect traded for an all-star MLB player, Betancort is 30 years old – thats not a good comp.

      5
      Reply
  8. walter8706

    3 years ago

    I guess this would make pinto back AAA

    2
    Reply
  9. TradeAcuna

    3 years ago

    So he will become everything the Braves thought and wanted him to be now that he is a Ray?

    They remade Wisler.

    Reply
  10. hiflew

    3 years ago

    Is Bethancourt still trying to be a relief pitcher too or did they give that up?

    4
    Reply
  11. Cohn Joppolella

    3 years ago

    Bathancourt is the baseball zombie- he wouldn’t stay down.

    3
    Reply
  12. afl forever

    3 years ago

    Hard to believe this guy is only 30 seems like he’s been around forever

    3
    Reply
  13. NWMarinerHawk

    3 years ago

    Great move for TB. Between Z and Bethancourt their catchers might strike out 300 times this year

    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      3 years ago

      Except Zunino hasn’t played in a while and may not return this year. But sure.

      Reply
      • A'sfaninUK

        3 years ago

        Also strikeouts don’t matter and are more valuable than outs that take less than 3 pitches off a pitchers count. No one can honestly say with a straight face that a 4+ pitch strikeout isn’t the best kind of out a hitter can make anymore, there’s too much data proving it is true. If a pitcher is mowing hitters down, getting him out of the game is more paramount than a 2 pitch swing away AB.

        Reply
        • NWMarinerHawk

          3 years ago

          I really do think it was a nice move, simply pointing out tongue in cheek that they have two catchers that have very high strikeout rates.
          But now that you got the conversation rolling, my response to the whole “strikeouts don’t matter” thing is this:
          If you give me two guys that have identical stats except for one category (strikeouts) I’m taking the guy that doesn’t whiff. I want the guy that puts the ball in play.
          Obviously, this isn’t a universal statement and there are plenty of guys who strikeout a ton that I’d rather have at 2b right now than Adam Frazier, who always puts the ball into play, right into a dudes glove.
          Just saying, it’s not like it’s a good thing that your strikeout rate is high. It should still be construed as a negative that you want to improve. Even if your approach is to be free swinging like a Segura, you still gotta swing at the right pitches, and a higher than usual strikeout rate signifies that you aren’t doing that as well as you could be.

          Reply
  14. Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

    3 years ago

    I’m a little surprised that Pinto hasn’t hit better. He has been an .850 OPS guy in two stints at Durham, and I thought he could at least give the Rays .235/.275/.375 this year in a backup role.

    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      3 years ago

      If he got steady playing time his hitting might be serviceable. Good glove. But if you have been watching the games, he often looks overmatched (then again, so does Mejia quite often). Pinto is the kind of guy who will carve out a nice career, mostly as a backup. I like him.

      1
      Reply
      • Brick House Coffee Tables Inc

        3 years ago

        I haven’t been able to watch much Rays baseball on TV this season, but I have seen Pinto play at Durham maybe 10 times. I’d love for the Cubs to try and acquire him for depth should they trade Contreras somewhere after the ASG. He would fit the Rod Barajas mold of backup catcher you spot in against LH starters.

        Reply
  15. getrealgone2

    3 years ago

    I remember when he was going to be the Braves’ catcher of the future.

    4
    Reply
    • Braveslifer

      3 years ago

      Yes, he and Teheran we buddies…

      Reply
  16. Gwynning's Anal Lover

    3 years ago

    Pirates could have used him this year as a catcher/position player pitcher.

    Reply
    • A'sfaninUK

      3 years ago

      he doesn’t pitch anymore

      Reply
  17. Zachary D Manprin

    3 years ago

    It’s Cal Stephenson and his dog, Spot!

    Fernandez looks like closer material.

    3
    Reply
  18. Bob Lablah

    3 years ago

    “Christian Fernandez” the next German Marquez like mistake by the Rays!

    Reply
  19. Begottenson

    3 years ago

    I wonder what it would take to get him ?

    Reply

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