Posted on Fri, Jul. 10, 2009 11:05 PM
Royals acquire Betancourt from Mariners for two minor-league pitchers
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BOSTON | If the reaction of once-and-future teammates is any indication, the Royals pulled off a steal of a trade Friday afternoon in acquiring shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt from Seattle for two minor-league pitchers.
“Wow! Really?” said Willie Bloomquist, who spent the previous four years as Betancourt’s teammate. “He’s very, very talented to the point where — and I’ve told him this — he could be the best defensive shortstop in the game hands down.
“And offensively, he can swing it.”
Bloomquist offered his enthusiastic endorsement despite knowing the acquisition means he probably reverts to a utility role. He wasn’t alone, though.
“Come on…” pitcher Gil Meche said when informed of the trade. “He’s pretty darn good. He’s fun to play with. I can tell you that pitching against him — he’s not an easy guy to pitch to. He’s got some pop.
“And as far as playing shortstop, he’s one of the best I’ve seen. He makes tough plays look really easy.”
The Royals acquired Betancourt for right-hander Dan Cortes and diminutive lefty Derrick Saito. The Mariners also agreed to pay roughly $3 million of the $8 million remaining on Betancourt’s salary through 2011.
“The bottom line is he’s an upgrade for our team today,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “And based on other opportunities that we have evaluated for the next year or two, he’s an upgrade there as well.
“He’s a very talented shortstop with a chance to make an impact with the glove and the bat. He’s somebody who has always hit a lot of doubles. His on-base percentage is something that’s lacking, but he’s a career .279 hitter.”
Betancourt was on a rehab assignment at Class AAA Tacoma because of a strained left hamstring when the trade occurred. He will shift immediately to Class AA Northwest Arkansas through the All-Star break and, barring a setback, join the Royals once the season resumes next Friday.
“For two minor-league pitchers?” said outfielder José Guillen, who spent 2007 with the Mariners. “Are you serious? How weird is that? I’m totally surprised. That’s all I can tell you. I’m shocked. That kid is pretty darn good.”
Few question Betancourt’s potential, but his recent trends are down. He is batting just .250 this season in 63 games with two homers and 22 RBIs. He entered the season with a .282 career average through four previous years.
Betancourt also carries a defensive reputation for being flashy but occasionally erratic.
“I’ll take him,” Bloomquist said. “He’s very talented. The tools and the talent are there. It’s just a matter of having someone helping him along in the right direction, whether it’s a kick in the butt or encouragement. Someone just has to help him along.
“It makes me smile that we got him. He’s going to help.”
Cortes, 22, was the organization’s minor-league pitcher of the year in 2008 but was just 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA this season at Northwest Arkansas. He joined the Royals in the 2006 trade that sent reliever Mike MacDougal to the White Sox.
“We were ready to move him to Triple-A in a couple of weeks,” Moore said. “We gave up a pretty good pitcher, but we had to try to make this work to improve our middle-infield situation.”
Saito, 21, is 2-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 22 relief appearances at Class A Burlington. He was a 16th-round pick in 2008. The Mariners assigned Cortes to Class AA West Tennessee, while Saito will go to Class A Clinton.
Posted on Fri, Jul. 10, 2009 11:05 PM
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