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Royals acquire SS Yuniesky Betancourt for P Dan Cortes and P Derrick Saito

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The Royals got the shortstop they have coveted for so long, acquiring 27 year old shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt from the Seattle Mariners for minor league pitchers Dan Cortes and Derrick Saito. Betancourt was hitting .250/.278/.330 with 2 HR and 22 RBI in 63 games. His best offensive year was in 2007 when he hit .289/.308/.418 with 9 HR 67 RBI. He has a lifetime .302 on-base percentage.

 

His UZR last season was -12.7 and he has actually gotten worse this year, posting a -18. He is signed through 2011, and is owed $3 million in 2010, and $4 million in 2011. He has a $6 million club option for 2012, with a $2 million buyout.

Fangraphs has his value at $-3.6 million.

Betancourt is currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury and is on rehab assignment in the minor leagues.

Cortes, 22, was a right-handed pitcher acquired in the Mike MacDougal trade. He was listed as the fourth best prospect in the organization by John Sickels and the third best by Baseball America. In 16 games for AA Northwest Arkansas, he was 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA, but a disappointing 57/50 K/BB ratio in 80 1/3 innings.

Saito, 21, was a left-handed pitcher taken in the 16th round of the 2008 Amateur Draft out of Cal Poly. After posting a 4.36 ERA in Idaho Falls last year, he posted a 4.15 ERA with an impressive 53/15 K/BB ratio in 52 relief innings at low A Burlington.

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Jesus wept

Seriously, this is a bad dream

I’m going to wake up. I’m going to wake up. I’m going to wake up.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

This move is exactly what the Royals needed to do to fix the black hole at SS that they’ve had all year. They went out and acquired another black hole, and all they had to give up was some pitching prospects, and we all know that those never pan out any way. I applaud this move, and if this is a sign of things to come within this organization, we all need to buy a good pair of shades, because the future is very bright!

by drdonkeypunch on Jul 10, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Cortes is not a prospect anymore.

by chjohn on Jul 10, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

says who?

he’d still be in our top 10…and likely a very good big league reliever if not solid back of the rotation guy

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Of course he is

What utter nonsense.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 11, 2009 12:53 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

i even hate dan cortes

and think that is an insane thing to say….

i think the most likely scenario for cortes is that he ends up being a pretty good reliever with a shot to become a decent back half starter….which is so much more valuable than fucking betancourt. this is retarded….i cant believe people are defending it. i listened to the postgame shows tonite half expecting them to defend it and they were going batshit insane about how stupid it was….and then i came back here…

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 11, 2009 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Gobble, Reichert,

George, Bautista, Griffn, Rusch, Pittsley, Snyder

other top 10 pitching prospects that we were in love with. People were all over Gobble and George, but the Royals refused to trade them. The funny thing about top 10 prospect lists is that you have to put 10 players in them. It doesn’t mean much to KC. With the depth Moore is putting in the minors, Cortes is nothing.

by chjohn on Jul 11, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Spite

that is the only possible explanation.

by PopeSoria on Jul 10, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

This isn't a battle it's hell!

You got slurved!

Hehehe Mark Reynolds is so awesome.

by Slurvey on Jul 10, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

First, you don't answer my emails regarding TRA

and now, you convert Dayton Moore you your side

I’m so angry I could vomit in horror

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

TPJ found his Neifi

DH: Where's the party!
Danny: David Howard and Mike Sweeney! Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!

by David Howards Legacy on Jul 10, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

No.

Dan Cortes and Derrick Saito are NOT Jermaine Dye. Second, Betancourt’s numbers aren’t ballpark-inflated, like Perez’s were.

by jbrocato on Jul 11, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I sure hope they are held down by his ballpark then

Because he’s got a 63 OPS+ this year, and he’s -18 in UZR/150, not to mention a -.8 WAR. So to paraphrase Adam Ant: You don’t hit, you don’t field, what do you do?

by AxDxMx on Jul 11, 2009 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It is only a matter of time until Francoeur joins him on the team

I anxiously await the blog posts from Rany, JoePo, and Mellinger on the trade

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Its official

Press releases on the Royals web site.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dan Cortes.....

starting for your 2012 AL All-Stars….

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought you didn't like Cortes much and saw him as a middle of the rotation guy at best

Now he’s going to be an All-Star? That smacks of intellectual dishonesty in the very least.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Howell

Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Jul 10, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And Ellis's star is shining really brightly!

I’d call him a superstar really.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I still don't like the trade

but assuming Cortes is going to become better just because he was traded out of the organization doesn’t make much sense. That said, if he becomes anything remotely good, I don’t think we win this trade.

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jul 10, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

The real problem is that Yuni now becomes "the answer" for the Royals at SS

He’s going to be the everyday SS for the forseeable future.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Poor Aviles :(

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It makes me sad

The guy proved he was, at the very least, a good ML reserve last year. Now it seems as if the Royals have just forgotten about him.

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jul 10, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He’s going to be the everyday SS for the forseeable future.

This is where you’re wrong. Dayton’s shown a great ability to admit mistakes and adapt.

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Correct

TPJ is not a mistake. He is a defensive stopper!!!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

An offensive one too!

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Jul 10, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Was Ellis traded just this past offseason?

Wow. I’m glad he’s gone. I twas hell sitting through all those 3 and 4 WAR seasons.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

it was a joke...

i really cant decide what i think of this trade. I dont think that cortes will be any sort of star….but it seems as if he along with cortes were our only real hope of help coming from the minors next year. and with yuni, i just dont know…he’s better than tpj

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I can't DM actually did this

Saito probably isn’t going to contribute at the major league level but I still have high hopes for Cortes. Surely the Royals could have gotten more for a prospect like Cortes?

This one doesn’t make a lot of sense…

by jsolo on Jul 10, 2009 3:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What's really surprising

Is that they gave Saito a six figure bonus and traded him anyway. DM has been coveting Betancourt for awhile.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Trading away Saito and Cortes doesn't bother me that much

lots of prospects flame out and Cortes was having issues this year.

The fact that we picked up Betancourt at all is what bothers me. When Moore arrived in KC, he banished the demons of Angel Berroa from the K. 3 years later, he traded away prospects to get them back.

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

Cortes would have made a nice trading chip I think, but not for a guy who really has negative value.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sorry KC fans that you are about to be subjected to watching this player.

How can Moore possibly covet this player? Bad work ethic, terrible defense, no plate discipline. Yuni shouldn’t even be in the league.

by Rudy4three on Jul 10, 2009 3:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

"Yuni shouldn’t even be in the league."

Well, we do lead the league in those kind of players

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's cuban

Commies aren’t allowed to be religious. :)

DH: Where's the party!
Danny: David Howard and Mike Sweeney! Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!

by David Howards Legacy on Jul 10, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well,

if he’s got terrible defense & no plate discipline he fits right in.

by hunter s. royal on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

i seriously thought it was a joke...

i went to the royals website and it wasnt there

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rarely is a trade so soul-crushing

This ranks up there with the Jermaine Dye trade I’m afraid. Its not as impactful, but man, it really sends me the wrong message about the guy leading this team.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

To me

It just, again, what we already knew. Dayton has no comprehension of what a good position player is, or how to evaluate them. None.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

HA!

Nice line. Rec’d

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But Moore can put together a bullpen with shaving cream, a tooth pick, a 12V battery and ...

the still beating heart of a Aouth American tapir!!!

He’s a freaken bullpen McGiver MAN!!!

soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 10, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

*South, why does the A button have to be so close to the S

soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 10, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

because if it were next to the f your typing would fuck

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Jul 10, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

“.279 career Batting Average? He must be good at getting on base”

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe he is going to flip Yuni for Pujols and make you happy?

I was at Shea for the Felix-Slam!
Personal M's record: 5-4.

by EnglishMariner on Jul 10, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair

It’s like giving the blanket after the village is already infected. Is one more crappy SS even going to matter at this point?

by Pauli on Jul 10, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Potential silver lining: Does TPJ go away?

Or do we have the most laughably bad depth chart at SS now?

by Royal Revival on Jul 10, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it must be

we need a 25 man move. Pena is the only logical choice. Unless Brayan gets the axe.

DH: Where's the party!
Danny: David Howard and Mike Sweeney! Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!

by David Howards Legacy on Jul 10, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

TPJ NEVER GOES AWAY

You cannot hope to be cured, only to adapt.

- W. Bloomquist homered to deep center
- P. Earth explodes

by JobDDT on Jul 10, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

This has the feeling of another one of those "in a vacuum" trades

In a vacuum, the Royals picked up a shortstop who is about 5 times better than TPJ and TPJJ. Much in the same sense that “Jacobs >>> Gload === WINS!!!”

Once you step outside of that vacuum though….

we now owe $10M (possibly less) and are tied for 2.5 more seasons to one of the worst everyday shortstops in the league. We’re going to remove Bloomquist’s .335 OBP from shortstop and replace it with a .278 OBP.

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bloomquist is probably going to regress anyway

and he’s not a good ML SS.

Of course, neither is Betancourt. Fuck this shit.

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jul 10, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yuniesky must have phenominal lateral range.

At least we didn’t trade Butler this time.

by hippdoghipp on Jul 10, 2009 3:54 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I would of gone on a killing spree if he had

Starting at the Truman Sports Complex, Kansas City, MO.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Aha!

I’ve been searching for the “silver lining” – not giving up Butler must be it!

Tension is the enemy. - Charlie Lau

by aHorseWithNoName on Jul 10, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Diggity

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 10, 2009 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just heard the news.

Looks like opinions are pretty split on this one.

by Black and Gold on Jul 10, 2009 3:58 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't know about that

The Mariner fans seem pretty pleased.

by Black and Gold on Jul 10, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

When is the parade in honor of Dayton Moore?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's in Seattle

Down 3rd street they just posted it!

soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 10, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dude...

Well they can fuckin unpost it then! Shomer Shabbas!

Obviously, you are not a golfer.

by Kyled85 on Jul 10, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What really sucks

Is that he is just guaranteed to play every day for the next three years. They will never bench him, no matter how awful he is.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:00 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought he will be the bench

and TPJ is still the first-option starter.

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Jul 10, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh great

now I have to figure out how to spell Yuniesky consistently.

As for Dan Cortes… looks like his K rate plunged this year. Granted, why the hell they kept him in AA after 2008 is beyond my comprehension. But unless his control shapes up, he’s a future reliever

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Also

hopefully Yuniesky will keep Brayan Pena on the team. Brayan has a good attitude, and he’s the same age and nationality as Yuniesky

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Someone please save me from these idiots commenting on the KC Star article.

I just was told to put my duncecap back on by some guy who loves the moves Dayton Moore is making.

by AJaha25 on Jul 10, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jin Wong isn't getting paid for nothing!

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's why you don't comment on KC Star articles.

If you were thinking, you wouldn't have thought that.

http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showforum=129

by Warden11 on Jul 10, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

And

if this isn’t enough to get rid of TPJ, then Dayton is a moron

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Ugly

And stupid.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Per the infallible source...Wikipedia
Betancourt’s calling card has been his fielding. In his first few seasons, he was fast becoming one of the best fielders in the game, combining excellent range, quickness, soft hands, hand-eye coordination, and his strong, accurate throwing arm. He was named one of the top fielders in baseball in a 2006 online fan’s poll.3 In 2007, he led all of baseball with 65 “good fielding plays.” However, he suffered through spells of throwing wildness that season. Bad throws accounted for most of his 18 errors in the first half of 2007, almost as many as his 2006 total of 20. He turned things around and made only 5 errors in the second half of 2007. His defense suffered in 2008, with several fielding metrics calling him one of the worst shortstops in baseball.

Also this…

He left Cuba on a speedboat in December 2003 1 and ended up in Mexico, where he played for a while before signing with Seattle Mariners scouts Bob Engle and Patrick Guerrero on January 26, 2005.

There’s also discussion of his “unreal” ability to hit with runners in scoring position…ugh.

Wikipedia

by RoyalsFanInBillings on Jul 10, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you Dayton!

We would have traded Yuni for some good BBQ. The battle for Grass Creek ratchets up another notch.
Perhaps this wakes Yuni up and he stops being fat and bad. He wasn’t always like this.


"Why should I stretch? Does a cheetah stretch before it chases its prey?"
-Griffey

by Big Jared on Jul 10, 2009 4:08 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Dayton's "Rebuild" of the Offense Continues

its just a quirk of sports, a quirk of baseball

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Building offense, defense or pitching is irrelevant

DM just needs to build a team with a greater run differential. If it were all great pitching or great defense, that would be fine. As long as the run differential there, it’s all good. But it doesn’t look like Yuni is a good run differential guy. He doesn’t hit well or play particularly good defense. That’s not a good thing.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's basically a replacement level player

"Do they have people that tall in Mexico?"

by NHZ on Jul 10, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

And even if he gets back to his form of a few years ago, with age he’s probably no better than a 1-1.5 WAR player.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

I could live with his bat if he played Gold Glove defense. I could live with his glove if he hit like Jeter. He is bad at both.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I understand that...

perhaps you missed the JoePo tiff…

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Being too busy to read the internet: a quirk of fatherhood

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh, he's got a great run differential

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

this is part of the plan

stock the Royals with Cubans.. and when Cuban communism moderates to allow their players to come here, they will wish to come to Cuba’s team.. the KC Royals!

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:10 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

what's that lefties name?

throws 100?

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Jul 10, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

fart knockering stupid sucking poopy smelling

garbage eating shit-tastic knuckle headed dumb ass f-ing mentally handicapped move… i can’t believe it.

The Alex Gordon era - www.number4thesmirk.com

by CollininCalifornia on Jul 10, 2009 4:13 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

the ONLY silver lining is that

hopefully the M’s are paying ALL of his salary… so we can dump him and cost nothing.

The Alex Gordon era - www.number4thesmirk.com

by CollininCalifornia on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not head over heels in love with Cortes anymore and this trade still sucks

Yuni just isn’t very good at anything.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

My thoughts exactly

I thought Cortes might be a decent trading chip and I think he’ll be a decent middle reliever, but to deal him for a guy who has negative trade value is pretty mind-boggling.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Silver lining: TPJ should certainly be gone

Another dark cloud looming: What does this say about Mike Aviles? He’s pretty going to be shown the door at this point, right?

by RoyalsFanInBillings on Jul 10, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Pitching is actually the currency of baseball

And DM just flushed a good deal of currency down the crapper.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:15 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

+1

remember when +1 was popular?

The Alex Gordon era - www.number4thesmirk.com

by CollininCalifornia on Jul 10, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sorta reminds me of those commercials...

where the guy gives a big trash bag of cash to the garbage man. I don’t know what the commercial was promoting, but thats just what it reminded me of.

If all else fails, stop using all else

by ksuroyals on Jul 10, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Cortes better be a total fuckup or else

Moore’s record of trading pitchers isn’t awful.

Cortes should have started 2009 in Omaha, but his second year in NW Arkansas has been worse than 2008

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

WAR

Tony Pena Jr. -0.6

Yuniesky Betancourt -0.8

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

seriously...

this is what being a royals fan is all about

you never know how bad it can be

Berroa to TPJ to Yuni

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love that quote

Well played sir. Well played.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

A Rather Harsh Analysis

This is a head-scratcher. I don’t understand — or approve of — this trade on any level. To me, this seems like another example of the Royals dealing for a player because of what they think he can be, rather than recognizing what he actually is.

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what makes this trade even better?

Knowing that Hillman will bat Betancourt in the #2 hole every night

by nwroyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

And displace Bloomy????

Maybe he’ll bat Yuni third.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

http://ussmariner.com/2009/06/10/the-end-of-yuniesky-betancourt/

Some great quotes:

Betancourt, who has had meetings with his manager and coaches all season, insists he’s doing nothing different now than ever.

"I’ve been doing the same routine for years," Betancourt said. "I can’t control the lineup. I’m doing whatever I’ve done in the past."

That, of course, may well be the issue. Betancourt has never been a hard worker, and the past four days have not served him well.

Since being out of the lineup, his teammates say, Betancourt has not taken a single ground ball.

And Monday, when 12 position players showed up for early batting practice, Betancourt was not among them.

"I was asleep on the plane when they announced that," Betancourt said.

Clearly, he can turn it around in Kansas City, the organization that holds everyone accountable.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Only two things will make this franchise successful again

1. Glass fires DM

AND

2. Glass figures out that he needs to hire a GM who understands this new fangled statistical stuff.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

My feelings about Trey have never changed from day one

He’s like just about every other MLB manager. He’s a little better on some things and a little worse on others, but he’s a standard, traditional MLB manager. He’s follows the standard baseball orthodoxy rule book for the most part. He’s not forward thinking. He’s not untraditional. He’s not modern. He’s not sabermetric. It’s hard to name a couple MLB managers who are. So I’m happy with firing him. And then, of course, he’ll be replaced by another manager who is very much the same. The only way this might change is if we have a sabermetric GM who understands that “by the book” isn’t a smart way to manage.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dayton now as new reason for fans to be mad at him instead of trying to defend Swartz

Its a PR move, doesn’t matter that it makes the team worse

Jeff Zimmerman - Protecting the world from RBI's and Wins from my mom's guest house.

by Jeff Zimmerman (TucsonRoyal) on Jul 10, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Note to Trey

if you bat Betancourt 2nd against RHP, you are a moron.

Betancourt can justify a high spot against LHP, but not against RHP

I have no idea how the hell YB is a worse hitter outside of Safeco. But I hope that the hitting background can elevate YB to drawing slightly more walks than usual.

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Why?

What is it that GMDM is looking at? Seriously, is this guy on some kind of secret mission to completely ruin any chances of this team ever competing?

I have been tolerant to this point, but now I say: FIRE DAYTON MOORE!

-You play to win the game - Herm Edwards

by truebluetradition on Jul 10, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

How can they logically think that?

-You play to win the game - Herm Edwards

by truebluetradition on Jul 10, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

They highly value "lateral movement"

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Crap

This move means that Bianchi’s position is now covered at the major league level for the next 2.5 years. Which means he’s a SS available for trade….I think you can see where this is going…

by Top Ramen on Jul 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bianchi for Frenchy!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will cry

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Jul 10, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bianchi probably isn't ready until 2011 at the earliest.

I sure didn’t want another season and a half of TPJ before then. I like this trade.

by jbrocato on Jul 11, 2009 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

he walked sideways to the frig?

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Jul 10, 2009 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Never mind, I answered my own question

Logic never played a part

-You play to win the game - Herm Edwards

by truebluetradition on Jul 10, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Some scouts like Yuni's defensive tools.

Maybe even a lot of scouts.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, many scouts like his defensive tools

He has a good defensive reputation amoung the tools-based analysts. He just hasn’t turned those defensive tools into good defensive results, especially in recent seasons. And he appears to be getting worse with age, which is common for defensive performance.

The immoderate moderator

by NYRoyal on Jul 11, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Goodbye, Daniel Cortes....we hardly knew ye

I’ll refrain from posting the photo of him naked on the toilet…

Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. ~Greg, age 8

by loyal2theroyals on Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

I was going to post something to the effect of

YB > TPJ

But then Retro had to put up their WAR….thanks for that….ugh.

I was hoping to hold out on SS before we found out exactly what the timeline is on Aviles and our ability to perhaps pursue Scutaro or Wilson in the offseason. This just smacks of desperation rather than team-building.

We’re supposed to be selling off our “Major League” talent for prospects at this point right? That’s how this thing works?

I've got crazy flipper fingers!

by labbadabba on Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What the hell? Helping the Mariners?

And giving them young pitching, which is freaking valuable, period, in the process? Not cool. Rage.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

Free Travis Buck.

by Blicks on Jul 10, 2009 4:27 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

What happy people look like

< A HREF=“http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2009/7/10/944919/yuni-traded#comments”>Lookout Landing – Yuni Traded

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bianchi for Francoeur?

By the end of the week, now SS is tied up for the future.

Who’d bet against it?

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

TPJ's WAR

isn’t it higher than usual because TPJ hasn’t played a lot this year?

If Trey went full retard and played TPJ every day, it’d be much lower, right?

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Why so glum?

According to the Minister of Propaganda’s Royal’s official web-site:

He is a career .279 hitter with 123 doubles, 17 triples, 27 home runs and 202 RBI over five seasons with Seattle after making his debut in 2005. Since becoming the Mariners full-time shortstop in 2006, his 341 double plays rank second in all of baseball to Oakland’s Orlando Cabrera (357). He has been tough to strikeout throughout his career, fanning just once every 11.86 plate appearances, the sixth-best total in baseball since 2005 (min. 2,000 at bats).

by Black and Gold on Jul 10, 2009 4:33 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

If on base percentage was so important

Why don’t they put it on the score board?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I can only hope

that when they say “his 341 double plays rank second in all of baseball,” they are talking about his defense.

by Black and Gold on Jul 10, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Umm, well...yeah

Maybe they should put GIDP on the scoreboard too. He’s really, really good at that. Man on first? One out? Yuni up? Inning over.

Y’all have our sympathy. Really, you do.

"Get offa my lawn!"

by Greybear on Jul 10, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love seeing RBIs quoted...

its like a vestige of a long forgotten language

if you asked me how many RBIs any royal had, i would have no idea

by royalsreview on Jul 10, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

But everyone knows

Guillen had 97 last year, and 22 HR’s!

Mellinger said so.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tough to strikeout...

This was my favorite part. As a Mariners fan I can only think of a handful of times he even saw three pitches. Usually he’s grounding into double plays, should we have been unlucky enough to have a runner on first when he’s up to bat.

by Ghumbs on Jul 10, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dear Yuniesky

Run hard, or you will get booed.

The one thing that unites nerds and casual fans is a dislike of slacking.

If Betancourt goes full Berroa, then this stay in KC will suck for him

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He can't read

Ande he doesn’t care about boos, from team mates or fans.
Thank you Dayton

by Bill Bavisi on Jul 10, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

never go full Berroa

half-assed Berroa is much better.

DH: Where's the party!
Danny: David Howard and Mike Sweeney! Go away! Guys, you're gonna wake up my Mom!

by David Howards Legacy on Jul 10, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

I'm in the airport in Tampa....

What do I think of this? I’m not sure whether or not to get on this plane…. I went to a Rays game yesterday (Halladay vs. Price) and might just stay here to watch winning baseball…. but I’m not sure….

We didn’t give anything up in Saito. He won’t be much more than a LOOGY in the bigs… and Cortes? He’ll get it figured out in the long run. Maybe Y gets it figured out here…

Here’s to hoping….

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Jul 10, 2009 4:35 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

They had to ditch Cortes as soon as possible.

For god’s sakes, he pee’d in public!!!!11

by RATW on Jul 10, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

At least we get rid of Pena Jr

eventually, you know if the Royals training staff doesn’t screw up Betancourt’s rehab.

Anyway that we can hope that B. Cox’s displeasure with Yunel Escobar is so bad that we can trade Betancourt/Freel and someone else to the Braves for him?

by Brandon K on Jul 10, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You think so?

I don’t. Pena Jr. is the defensive replacement in the late innings. As the Royals acquired the WORST SS in baseball this year.

by AxDxMx on Jul 10, 2009 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

also

Betancourt has quite a few doubles and this park is pretty good for doubles. Then again, his doubles could come from him being too slow to get triples.

So he could be a shittier Callaspo

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

other YB offensive info

19% linedrives (around average) with over 20% LDs in 2007 and 2008

Linedrive percentages for Royals players

Mark Teahen 19%
David DeJesus 19%
Billy Butler 18%
Mike Jacobs 17%
Alberto Callaspo 17%
John Buck 17%
*Mitch Maier 16%
Willie Bloomquist 16%
Miguel Olivo 13%
Jose Guillen 13%

YB’s GB/FB ratio is funky too

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

+2

+1 for making fun of Yuni
+1 for making fun of Twitter

by BrRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

as a rangers fan

i ask why? why make the mariners better?

The dance of the puppets
The rusted chains of prison moons
Are shattered by the sun.
I walk a road, horizons change
The tournaments begun.

by gossamer on Jul 10, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Success is only worthwhile when you earn it.

Harder competition will make success more glorious.

In the reverse, having less talent and winning would be glorious. . . except it probably means everyone else slipped in the crap you left in the field and that’s how you won the game.

New slogan: The Kansas City Royals: It’s harder for the opposition to play defense with all the crap we put on the field! And it makes the grass nice!

by BrRoyal on Jul 10, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Bud has to veto this, right?

If this trade happened in the fantasy league I commish, I would have to veto it as being too ridiculously unfair.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 10, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've missed a lot of comments, so I'm sure

someone will fill me in on the positives we’ve gleaned from this trade.

by stuckinstl12 on Jul 10, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

he doesnt piss on fences....

or at least get caught doing it

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

man, that's what i was afraid of

can i make money from starting : joepoban# or pozban#?

by stuckinstl12 on Jul 10, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dayton

called Yuniesky “Yunel” in the press conference.

He didn’t…

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

since Betancourt can't have #5

my suggestion is #18, in honor of his ridiculously long name

I didn’t know you could trade a guy while he was on the DL

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Bud can say yes

And he was on rehab. I assume they figure he is fit again really.

by kcbottom9th on Jul 10, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wait. Bud is OKing DL trades

and blocking draft pick signings? Ew.

"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden

Free Travis Buck.

by Blicks on Jul 10, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow. I heard this on 610 as a breaking event, then read all these comments.

I have absolutely no opinion on this move at all. Nothing to say, negative or positive. Should I? Does it deserve any emotion when it’s such an apparently “nothing” move?

I guess I’m lying. Appreciate this, Seattle. At least it wasn’t a straight up trade, TPJ for Yuselesski.

What are they going to do for a SS in Seattle now? Package a recently acquired attractive minor league pissing pitching prospect with another one from their own farm system along with some cash considerations and actually go out and get what WE really needed?

The positive I can see out of this is that now we’ve got a Spanish speaking crossover who can talk to our Latin guys about weaknesses in the Marineros plans so that we can step up our game in the Battle for Grass Creek.

Christ, you don't need a quadrophonic Blaupunkt! What you need is a curveball! In the show, everyone can hit heat.

by BillyMojo on Jul 10, 2009 5:29 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

You also have Miguel Olivo for that

IF I WAS MANAGER I'D HAVE A FIST FIGHT WITH YUNI RIGHT NOW AND KNOCK HIS FUCKING MONKEY HEAD CLEAN OFF (~EM)

by seattlecougar on Jul 10, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Want to kill /strangle/maim/hurt/laugh at while pointing/ something just something

to get rid of this questionable feeling I have in the pit of my stomach…………

oh it’s gone, but I just threw up all over my desk at work, I’ll yell at the skinny chick who’s judging me

AT LEAST I DID IT WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE AND NOT THE BATHROOM EVERY DAY AT AROUND 12:30!!!!!

SO ANGRY!!

soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 10, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

the thread is starting to slow down for me....

time for a dayton moore is useless overflow thread?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jul 10, 2009 5:31 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

yeah pretty much

soon to change name to, "The Not So Curious Case of Benjamin Bratt"

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Jul 10, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

So let me get this straight

We gave up a reliever with some solid potential and a top pitching prospect, one with some issues this year,but evaluating prospects on one half year of data is a shitty way to evaluate, forrrrr Yunieski Betancourt?

Quick, name one thing he does well……………………….

I’ll be waiting here all night Dayton you fucking dumbass.

by wildthang on Jul 10, 2009 5:32 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

That's a great cold closing

Welcome to Lee Carvello’s putting challenge.
I am Carvello.
Now chose a club…
You have chosen a 3 wood.
May I suggest a putter?
3 wood.
Now enter the force of your swing, I suggest feather touch.
You have entered POWER DRIVE.
Now push 7 – 8 – 7 to swing.
Ball is in… parking lot.
Would you like to play again?
You have selected ‘no’.

by sterlingice on Jul 10, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

if DM keeps TPJ when YB comes off the DL

then fucking grrrrrrr

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

and

no word on if Esky has a happy butt

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

lol, KC

I am so, so sorry. lmao.

by rcpratt on Jul 10, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Dude

here are some the shortstops we’ve had in the last decade

Rey Sanchez, Neifi Fucking Perez, Angel Berroa, Andres Blanco, Tony Pena Jr, Mike Aviles, Willie Bloomquist

when your two best shortstops in the last 10 years were Rey Sanchez and Willie Sporkquist…

Esky doesn’t have a high standard to meet here

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

2008 Aviles and 2003 Berroa were nice

but Aviles is probably done as a full-time SS now

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sadly you're probably right

And I forgot about Berroa’s RotY season. Maybe someday we can get a shortstop who is above average for two seasons in a row… or, and maybe I’m asking for too much here… three or more seasons in a row?!

by Soria's Unibrow on Jul 10, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

people also forget

that Rey Sanchez hit close to .300 a couple of years… right before we aquired Neifi Perez…

I've got crazy flipper fingers!

by labbadabba on Jul 11, 2009 3:18 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's all part of the grand strategy

To corner the market on mediocre infielders. Then, when some other team wants a mediocre infielder, we can gouge them for whatever we want! HA HA HA HA!

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Jul 10, 2009 5:38 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

I wish any of these guys were mediocre

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 11, 2009 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

One last thought

so out of all the really bad teams in the last 5 years that have made changes, are we still the only one that keeps getting worse?

The pirates are on the right track
The orioles have an amazing collection of talent
The Rays have blown up into a contender
The Mariners have put it together

We just keep getting shot to shit. Trying the same old dumb ass shit. I’m not doing it anymore. I am just as fine watching the other 29 teams as I am this team. I’ve spent my entire goddamned teenage and young adult life watching this shit show. I just dont know how long I can deal with this pathetic excuse of a GM anymore.

by wildthang on Jul 10, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Esky

no way in hell that Trey knows how to spell or pronounce Yuniesky

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:40 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Jack2

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Jul 10, 2009 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Lou

As Brayan Pena huddles with Betancourt to tell him that it’s alright and that there are some Cuban sandwiches waiting for him in the locker room

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

what's the Spanish phrase for

“Get a hit and you’ll get a free Cuban sandwich”

we need to motivate Esky here

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Jul 10, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs