Royals Trade Wilson Betemit to Tigers for Two Minor Leaguers
by RoyalsRetro on Jul 21, 2011 7:46 AM EDT
in Kansas City Royals News
Email
PrintTrader Dayton got the July hot stove going yesterday sending infielder hitter Wilson Betemit to the Detroit Tigers for minor leaguer catcher Julio Rodriguez and pitcher Antonio Cruz. Betemit, a former Brave, had been picked up by the Royals as a minor league free agent last year, but has turned into a pleasant surprise, posting a .297/.378/.511 last year and a .281/.341/.409 this year as a nice stop-gap before the Mike Moustakas-era. He had drawn significant trade interest from the Angels and Brewers, but the Tigers are the big winners here.
Julio Rodriguez is a 21 year old catcher in high A ball Lakeland hitting .283/.325/.354 in 246 PAs with 1 HR and 27 BI. He is pretty much organizational filler, someone for our elite pitching prospects to throw to.
Antonio Cruz is the closest thing to a prospect here. He is 19 years old, pitching in the Midwest League (A ball). He has made the conversion from reliever to starter this year posting a 3.11 ERA in 75.1 innings with 58 strikeouts and 28 walks. The Dominican left-hander has struggled in the past with his command, walking 80 in 151.1 minor league innings. He's 19 years old, he could become anything from a middle of the rotation starter, to a LOOGY, to a guy that washes out in High A ball. Not a terrible lottery ticket for a guy like Betemit.
The trade market gates have swung wide open - will Frenchy walk through?
120 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
At least Cruz is young
Glad Moore pulled the trigger.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 20, 2011 5:48 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I ALWAYS get that wrong
For that reason alone I am glad to see his sorry ass out of town!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Heheh. It certainly is nice to see that at least some players are getting traded.
Antonio Cruz looks interesting enough as a return for a guy the royals picked up on a MiL deal 2 offseasons ago
SBN's most random and mysterious lurker
though I do love Royals Review
Aviles
- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jul 20, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you still classify it as an experiment?
Dayton’s theory has definitely been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. Now the question is: What was the theory?
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
What thte hell are we going to do with a backup infielder?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
make him sit and talk to Mitch.
- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jul 20, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I foresee a devastating letter home from Mitch in early August
Probably a tear-stained, emotionally drafted piece of paper lamenting the loss of his best camp friends.
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
You will remember this day for the rest of...
the week.
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Cruz's GB rate between 42% and 50% in the minors
http://firstinning.com/players/Antonio-Cruz-a/
- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …
Yes, but can somebody please give the poor kid a sandwich or something?
5’11" and 160 lbs??
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Maybe a Moose Taco?
Or is that gross?
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sammy Sosa, D.D.S., suggests that Cruz get his teeth fixed.
It is an easy way to gain 40-60 pounds of pure, unadulterated muscle.
Mellinger on 610
Said this was the big impediment to getting Gio up.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Two C prospects
And one is a young lefty pitcher. Seems like a fair deal
by Connor Moylan on Jul 20, 2011 5:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
From December
Antonio Cruz (19, 5-11, 160) and Cole Nelson (21, 6-7, 233), both LHPs, as well as Wilsen Palacios (20, 6-3, 180) and Jordan Pratt (21, 6-3, 215), both RHPs: “Cruz was probably a little more advanced than Palacios,” Matlack said. "Cruz was 92-94, with an average-to-plus curveball, sometimes inconsistent, and a change-up we’re trying to get him to use a little more. But he wants the ball every day.
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Is "wanting the ball every day" the same as "mound presence"?
Or are those two completely different skills?
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
They both add up to the same thing
0+0=0
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 20, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
Just got word from Lee Judge
that Cruz automatically enters the system as the 4th highest rated Royal in Polk points for “wanting the ball.”
by KyleM on Jul 20, 2011 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
Have A Sandwich
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 21, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
But does his change up have high character?
What I want to know is, will his curveball help an old lady across the street?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
His Mound Presence is so off the charts
that he’s basically a crossing guard on the streets. No need to help one lady when the kid just naturally commands so much respect and directs all traffic at each intersection.
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Really, the question is whether or not you're going to find his changeup peeing on your fence
Unless I'm wrong...
LOL
Someoene was saying his clutchness is through the roof.
So its more like 0 + 0 = 1/0
by GobbleforCyoung on Jul 21, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions
While 5-11 isn't exactly prototypical size,
92-94 from a LHP is very encouraging.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Tigers love the trade
Seems they are just happy to get Inge out of the lineup.
- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …
by Jeff Zimmerman on Jul 20, 2011 5:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I hate
when the other guys are happy.
by Mark LaFlamme on Jul 20, 2011 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Oddly, the Tigers seem to think Rodriguez was the better prospect in the deal
I don’t know what makes them say that. They also seem to think he was blocked. By whom I don’t know
They said he projects as a backup catcher
Good defense, light offense.
by OnixConcepcion on Jul 20, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's what I read
“Rodriguez is super blocked, and he’s the highest upside player in the deal.”
“Rodriguez is a bit of a loss
Defense first catching prospect, not horrible with the bat, projects as a backup catcher. But, the Tigers dealt from depth, so it’s not bad. Cruz is a live arm with decent numbers in West Michigan, so it’ll be a shame to see him go, but it’s not a bad trade.”
“projects as a backup AA catcher”
Fixed that!
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 6:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
hmmmm
not horrible with the bat
Rodriguez has yet to OPS even .700 for any of his MiLB seasons. As long as he’s the throw-in, great, give the kid a chance to make it, considering he’s apparently a decent catcher. But why anyone would think Rodriguez is the better prospect in the deal is beyond me.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Does that earn me Will McDonald points?
Or do I need to break up a double play?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jul 20, 2011 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
The internet scouts just upped your Site Presence tremendously
by Sweep_the_Leg on Jul 20, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I just saw this quote from an anonymous scout
RoyalsRetro is really bringing it on this story. He is blogging like his hair is on fire!
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
by buddyball on Jul 21, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Quite honestly, I expected our FO to mess this up when they jacked with his playing time...
I didn’t expect to get anything at all for him, so this is a nice surprise. Possible lottery ticket and “extra”
MAJOR LEAGUE (The Royals)
Rachel Phelps (Royals Management): I think he'll fit right in with our team concept.
Charlie Donovan (Royals Fans): That reminds me, I was going to ask you. What exactly *is* our team concept?
It's basically like signing a Dominican kid, I think
I do like the ground pounding aspect of Cruz’ stats, so maybe they can get him to stop walking so many people.
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions
And hopefully he'll fill out and add velocity and get some strikeouts
6.9 K/9 in the Midwest League isn’t impressive.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 20, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
No, but the good news is that his ratios have improved compared to the 19 innings in the
Midwest League last season and he’s pitching some as a starter now, which he didn’t last year.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions
wow...tigers fans see him as providing average to slight above average D
and to provide 1 to 1.5 WAR for the rest of the seasson
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 20, 2011 6:09 PM EDT reply actions
No, that's a 1 to 1.5 WAR increase from Inge, who is below replacement
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
for 1/2 of 1 season....
he’s been a good player in the past….i havent watched the tigers but i have a hard time believing he really fell off of a cliff that fast…who knows though
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 20, 2011 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Inge has really been that horrible.
2nd worst in OBP and dead last in slugging for 3B in MLB. He’s also had just as many hits as errors since coming back from the DL for mono. We’re really glad to have someone that’s not some WAR sucking black hole standing at 3B.
He hasn't been given consistent playing time
Im’ not saying he will repeat last years performance for the rest of this season, but he’s probably somewhere between last year and this year once he’s consistently playing.
.900 OPS is nothing to sneeze at. If he OPS .825 and plays a little below average D the Tigers will be thrilled
I think its a good overall for both sides.
by GobbleforCyoung on Jul 21, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
Good lord
Sounds like Facebook fans gulping the kool-aid.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 20, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
"average to slight above average D"????
hahahahahahahaha! Did Betemit have surgery to remove the cast iron frying pan from his left hand?
Tension is the enemy. - Charlie Lau
by aHorseWithNoName on Jul 20, 2011 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I believe that was just one misguided fan
all teams have fans who have no clue what they’re talking about.
by Kurt Mensching on Jul 21, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
julio rodriguez is an org guy...pitchers like throwing to him...
cruz has the upside of a good loogy
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 20, 2011 6:12 PM EDT up reply actions
So best case we're arguing about whether he should be in the BP in four years from now
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions
yep...im alright with that...
an abundance of bullpen arms can lead to trades like the one that landed Maybin in SD this winter…im good with that
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 20, 2011 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Main points
1) opens a spot on 40 man
2) betemit wasnt even being used to PH
3) aviles is the closest thing to utility guy who can play SS if needed.
4) saves roughly 400-500k that could be thrown at one of the “tough signs” from the draft
5) two young lottery tickets….what the hell?
I like all of them
Though #5 is probably one lottery ticket and one throw-in.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm happy for Betemit.
He always seemed like a good guy, and I hope he uses this opportunity, cuz he deserves one after last year.
The real arbiter of the quality of this trade is
The Facebook comments
Reality is a crutch for people who can’t handle drugs
by where o' where has my underdog gone? on Jul 20, 2011 6:42 PM EDT reply actions
WHY DO WE TRADE ALL OF OUR GOOD PLAYERS!
THATS WHY I QUIT BEING A FAN TODAY.
by jack.nowland on Jul 20, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Melky to the Phils?
The Phillies and Royals have discussed a deal that would send Melky Cabrera to Philadelphia, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The sides have exchanged names, but they aren’t close to completing a trade. Phil Anastasia of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Philadelphia’s interest in Cabrera earlier this week.
Morosi notes that it’s unlikely that the Royals will trade both Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur, since that would create openings in next year’s outfield. The Royals and Francoeur have a mutual option for 2012 and Cabrera is arbitration eligible after the season.
I've always wanted to get John Mayberry, Jr. from the Phillies
That and a B or B+ starting pitcher would be great.
I could see DMGM
getting the wrong John Mayberry in the deal.
by Black and Gold on Jul 20, 2011 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I could see DMGM
getting somebody from the town of Mayberry in the deal.
by LaFLamme on Jul 20, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
I thought GMDM was Barney Fife reincarnated
Reality is a crutch for people who can’t handle drugs
by where o' where has my underdog gone? on Jul 20, 2011 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions
A little surprised nobody went with a Goober or Gomer
or Aunt Bea, for that matter.
by OnixConcepcion on Jul 21, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Corey Ettinger and Scout.com Tigers reporter both said Rodriguez is a very
good defensive catcher Ettinger said he had clocked his pop times faster than Sal Perez which is impressive. Bad plate approach according to Scout.com but has some average potential power. Sounds to me like a older version of Salvador Perez although I think personally believe Perez will develop some nice power as he ages dude is a mountain.
Scout.com said the Cruz works 89-91 touching 94 with average life and a potential plus curveball
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Faster pop time than Perez???
Is that even possible? Last I knew when they timed Perez’s throw it finally confirmed the myth that such a fast time existed. If this guy is faster than that, he’s definitely worth the trade just to watch him blow people’s minds. Perez has like 47% CS rate… Is this guy gonna be over 50%?
by Prime2U on Jul 20, 2011 7:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wondered that too, but according to b-ref, in 5 seasons so far his CS is 36%
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 20, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Ya I don't know about that either but that's what Ettinger said
I strongly doubt the guy is as good defensively as Perez but we’ll see.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Goldstein
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14581
The Royals are doing the right thing by dumping players that are not going to be a part of future winning versions of the team, but the lesson here is not to expect much in return. Julio Rodriguez is nothing more than an organizational catcher with the ability to make contact while offering no power, no approach, and sub-standard receiving skills, although his arm is plus. He’s the kind of player who might still be in the minors ten years from now, bouncing from organization to organization simply because he can play the position.
Antonio Cruz is the more interesting player, but only in comparison to Rodriguez. A short and skinny 19-year-old, Cruz offers above-average velocity from the left side and can flash a tight curveball at times, but he doesn’t have a truly dependable out pitch to profile as anything beyond a seventh-inning reliever or left-handed specialist, as Midwest League lefties are hitting just .200/.280/.295 against him.
Nothing to see here, move along. It’s just Wilson Betemit we’re talking about.
by BlueEyes_Austin on Jul 20, 2011 7:52 PM EDT reply actions
One of Dayton's best trades ever?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jul 21, 2011 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I assume this means that Moose will not be demoted
and will play third this season no matter how long his slump continues.
"From northern New Jersey came Boom Boom Mazzaro
A righthanded starter drafted out of high school
He pitched in the minors at Stockton and Midland
And blew them away with all of the tools" --Not Warren Zevon
I wonder if Aviles will be gone shortly too...
Particularly since the D-backs are now playing Bloomquist at SS.
by Prime2U on Jul 21, 2011 11:02 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
over at brewcrewball...they're pining for aviles OR bloomquist...
seriously
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 21, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously?
That’s desperate
"Stay Classy Kansas City"
by Mas Cervezas on Jul 21, 2011 1:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Those Guys Don't
Get out much. Maybe they take the brewery tour every day.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 21, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
you would too if Yuni was your everyday SS
oh wait…
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 21, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
That list could have been replaced with a page of sadface emoticons
and no one would bat an eye
SBN's most random and mysterious lurker
though I do love Royals Review
Royals trade off 7th rated 3B in OPS over the past 2 seasons.
- .-. ..- … – / – …. . / .—. .-. - .. . … …
Trading Major League
Talent for minor league long shots has worked out well (rolling eyes).
Looking back on it
We might have gotten more for Betemit…
by Pointed Stick on Jul 22, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Royals Review
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
