Checking in on Zack Greinke & Yuni Betancourt

by Freneau on Jun 14, 2011 11:15 AM EDT in Kansas City Royals News

Because we know Brewers fans are filled with secret desires to know how Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain and Jake Odorizzi are doing...

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2011 - Zack Greinke	6-1	8	8	0	0	0	0	48.0	49	26	25	6	7	60	4.69	1.17

Greinke's numbers have been solid but not spectacular this season, outside of the shiny W-L record. However his numbers are a little bloated thanks to his semi-rough first three starts. In his last five outings, his ERA is 3.82. He's Ked 40 hitters in his last 33 innings, against just five walks.

The Brewers are widely believed to have a pretty horrible defense, which has also inflated Greinke's numbers. His FIP (2.52) and xFIP (2.04) are both excellent and forecast a strong performance going forward. Greinke's K rate of 11.25 per 9 is outstanding and his walk numbers are even lower than in his Cy Young year. Yes, he's in the National League, but he has quietly been very good.

Part of the reason why Greinke's allowed a fair number of hits and runs is that Yuniesky Betancourt is his shortstop.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2011 - Yuniesky Betancourt	61	215	18	49	11	2	3	20	8	26	0	2	.228	.253	.340

As Devil Fingers wrote yesterday, Betancourt has been terrible for the Brewers, who should really look at fielding anyone, anyone else if they want to stay near the top of the NL Central. Betancourt has been nearly as bad as Escobar at the plate (a .253 OBP? yikes) while also being one of the worst shortstops in the game. Even if you want to believe Yuni is an average SS ("I see plus hands and plus hands") the total package would still be awful.

I was not a huge fan of the Grienke trade (didn't hate it, just didn't love it) but the fact that the Royals got rid of Yuni, who most years is going to be a net negative was a unheralded benefit. If the Brewers are still playing him on July 4th, we can officially add them to the list of teams that have no idea what they are doing.

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Comments

You left out Jeffress

Surely Brewers fans check Omaha’s box scores daily to see how ol’ Smokey is doing.

I loathe David Glass

by RoyalJHWKR on Jun 14, 2011 11:20 AM EDT reply actions

My favorite stat of the year

Through June 14, 2011…Zack Greinke has a higher OBP (.267) and slugging percentage (.429) than Yuniesky Betancourt.

by UncleFester on Jun 14, 2011 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs

That

is awesome.

by KC Gunner on Jun 14, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

Hilarious.

Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.

@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard

by Bloggy on Jun 14, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

This

…is what I thought.

"Sir,--It has been wittily remarked that there are three kinds of falsehood: the first is a 'fib,' the second is a downright lie, and the third and most aggravated is statistics." *The National Observer* (June 13, 1891): p. 93-94.

by timlacy on Jun 14, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Not to mention

That Zack should be a gold glove fielder as well

"Trying is the first step to sucking" -Jimmy Chance

by KHAZAD on Jun 15, 2011 6:36 AM EDT up reply actions

"...solid but not spectacular"

I would call 7 walks and 60 strikeouts in 48 innings pretty damn spectacular. His HR rate is not ideal – but without looking it up, I’d bet his FIP is a hell of a lot lower than his ERA.

"We're gonna win with pitching and defense" General Manager Dayton Moore, circa winter 2009

"Where did all these Indians come from?" General George Armstrong Custer, circa summer 1876

by loyal2sdad on Jun 14, 2011 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

FIP is 2.52

so yeah

Chiefs Might

by chicks_love_chiefs on Jun 14, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions

most important

thing about this post is ….

when did the Rockies sign Grizzly Adams ?

Is that Giambi? lol

by Peterman700 on Jun 14, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

why has he become so old suddenly

I am probably the only Royals fan in Hong Kong?

by Yamfun Cheng Kamfun on Jun 14, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I am pretty sure that is pre plastic surgery Kenny Rogers.

- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …

by Jeff Zimmerman on Jun 14, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I thought it was Matt Stairs at first.

No shit.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jun 14, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Evidently my dad signed a one-day deal with the Rockies.

They has to have been impressed with his 425/425/725 line in beer league softball in 1984.

by Dadunca on Jun 14, 2011 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

He's probably just setting himself up

to be in one of those terrible Just For Men commercials like Randy Johnson. “HOME RUN!”

Tension is the enemy. - Charlie Lau

by aHorseWithNoName on Jun 14, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

That's always a telltale sign that you've pretty much

hit the bottom of the endorsement barrel.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 14, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

his beard is weird

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jun 14, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Oops!

I gotta stop reading these too quickly! Just noticed, you had FIP and xFIP in the article.

Brewers could be a force in the NL playoffs – a team with short sequence offense (Braun, Fielder, and even Weeks), and two dominant starters (Greinke, Marcum). That sounds like a typical formula for post season success.

I certainly went “all in” on the Brewers this year – in a fantasy league plaid for money, I have Fielder, Weeks, and Marcum.

Go Brewers! Loved the sweep over the Cardinals.

"We're gonna win with pitching and defense" General Manager Dayton Moore, circa winter 2009

"Where did all these Indians come from?" General George Armstrong Custer, circa summer 1876

by loyal2sdad on Jun 14, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah me too

All I read is that and I went straight to the comments. No reason to read the rest.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 14, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Sooo

We won the trade?

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Jun 14, 2011 11:42 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

I feel we won the trade

both long term and short term. Long term – we will get more out of the four players we received beyond the two years Zack had left on his contract. Short term – I’ll take what we are currently getting out of Escobar, Jeffress, Odorizzi and Cain as opposed to a “sour” Zack and Yuni at short; ANYDAY OF THE WEEK, and twice on Sunday…

by Royalron on Jun 14, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I agree

I really love Escobar at SS I hope he stays for a while- I trust his bat will somewhat catch up to his superior glove.

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Jun 14, 2011 12:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 5 recs

To me it all depends on what Zack does

If he is a Cy Young for years to come for Milwaukee who could probably sign him long term if they want because I think Zack is really a small market kind of guy.

by aedmu1984 on Jun 14, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

WE WON DA TR...

damn I am slow

I am probably the only Royals fan in Hong Kong?

by Yamfun Cheng Kamfun on Jun 14, 2011 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

"Mauled by a bear"

too funny

by rouyerd on Jun 14, 2011 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Post rec'd for the picture caption alone

by Sweep_the_Leg on Jun 14, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Didnt notice until pointed out

Awesome

by sterlingice on Jun 14, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions

This trade at this point is a no brainer. Zach didn’t want to be here so keeping him was not an option. I like all 4 players we got in return. The only thing I didn’t like is we didn’t get anything for Yuni, possibly a couple more beer vendors, or something.

by nbark1964 on Jun 14, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

You just need to change your thinking

We traded Greinke for Escobar, Jeffress, Cain and Odorizzi, but the Brewers had to take Yuni, too, or it was no deal. We got rid of a -15 WAR for nothing, sweet deal.

2010 = The beginning of a dynasty

by ChiefWildcat on Jun 14, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

maybe you're over-valuing "beer vendors"

though nbark could use some sarcasm font (@ @ )

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jun 14, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Zack

seems happy and focused and appears to really enjoy hitting. He’s probably in the perfect place for him, a small market team that is contending and where he gets to swing the bat. Worked out well for both teams.

by Jim Fetterolf on Jun 14, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

If I'd been the Brewers

I’d have said, “fine, we’ll take Betancourt” and then DFA’d him as soon as he got there. There had to be someone out there that could hurt their team less than Yuni does. I’d suggest that playing Wilson Betemit at SS would hurt them less. Maybe we could do another trade with them (stipulating that Betancourt can’t be involved this time).

by Big Guy on Jun 14, 2011 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

yes, but how's his hitting?

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

by labbadabba on Jun 14, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

for those who are wondering,

he’s only 3 for 17, but he has a HR and a walk. Slugging .429 and a wRC+ of 91, which is 5th out of 83 pitchers with 10+ PA.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=p&stats=bat&lg=nl&qual=10&type=8&season=2011&month=0&season1=2011&ind=0

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jun 14, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you trying to fool us?

Greinke’s numbers have been solid but not spectacular this season, outside of the shiny W-L record.

60 K’s to 7 BBs in 48 IP. 49 hits allowed. A WHIP of 1.17.

That’s flat out AWESOME.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 14, 2011 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if......

….. no. Couldn’t be. No longer being in the shadow of Bob McClure has done nothing to help this young pitcher.

Scouting the Royals
Royals Prospects

by 306008 on Jun 14, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeff Francis' ERA is lower than Zack Greinke's, therefore he's better

(some idiots actually think that)

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bhindepmo
Chairman, The Melky Cabrera Seasoning Sauce. It's great on your outfield!

by BHWick on Jun 14, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yes, but Zack's W-L is better than Francis

and that’s why you can’t trust stats

by Calvinschoice on Jun 14, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

He hasn't quit this year. Duh.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Jun 14, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, he's got no chance at NL Cy Young (Phillies might sweep the podium)

But he’s having an all-star-level season.

He’s always been an amazing pitcher when he wants to be.

by KSinDC on Jun 14, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

He does have an outside chance at the NL CY

…based on Wins. Whoever ends up with the most wins in a league is automatically on the short list.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jun 14, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

but since Grienke won

the AL Cy Young, they don’t count for as much anymore. That was an unexpected development for me.

2011 Royals Review NCAA Bracket Challenge Winner, by process of attrition

by sfeldkamp on Jun 14, 2011 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

the near-mid season totals

WAR, Fangraphs

Greinke: 1.4
Betancourt: -0.5
total: 0.9

Escobar: 0.1
Jeffress: 0.0
total: 0.1

at least we still have time on our sides here, since we have infinity-years of control over Escobar (if he can hit enough to not effect his fielding), Jeffress (if he can make it back to the majors), Cain (if he becomes seasoned soon), and Odorizzi (if he can make it through AA).

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bhindepmo
Chairman, The Melky Cabrera Seasoning Sauce. It's great on your outfield!

by BHWick on Jun 14, 2011 1:57 PM EDT reply actions

Don't forget the money saved on Betancourt/Greinke

It’s still an important point you’re making, but the money saved matters, too (depending on what we think Glass and Moore do with the unspent money).

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jun 14, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

What did we really save on Yu-Bet?

We gave them 2 mil, Seattle kicked in like 1 or 1.5 mil? Did we net a million off trading Yuni?

by Dadunca on Jun 14, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes, it was $1M.

Seattle paid $1M, KC kicked in $2M toward the $4M contract.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/milwaukee-brewers.html

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jun 15, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Could somebody figure out how to look up

the players with the highest negative WAR in the 21st century? Yuni and Neifi Pérez would have to be up there on the list

"They may make cool judgements after the fact
But the name of the game is be hit and hit back" --Warren Zevon

by Juancho on Jun 14, 2011 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

He's positive with 2.2

Among batters with 1000PA’s (to exclude NL pitchers) the worst is Peter Bergeron, at -4.

ALL STAR Ken Harvey is 5th at -1.7

For reference, Pujols has 84.7 on the century.

Edgar knows best.

by kcbottom9th on Jun 14, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, "Pop-up" Perez

gets saved by his defense. BBRef has him at +1.8 for 2000-2007, so I guess you’re getting the 2.2 from somewhere else (or I’m reading BBRef wrong)? At any rate, his offensive WAR was -3.9 and his defensive WAR was +5.7 for the same period. Career +.1 WAR (-4.5 oWAR and +4.6 dWAR) – For this level of performance “Pop-up” was able to pull down nearly $21 million over a 12 year career (I hate my life).

Tension is the enemy. - Charlie Lau

by aHorseWithNoName on Jun 14, 2011 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions