Wilson Betemit (2b/3b), LA

News: The Dodgers acquired Betemit from the Atlanta Braves Friday night for relief pitcher Danys Baez and IF Willie Aybar.

Views: This may turn out to be the best under-the-radar pickup of the deadline for two reasons. For one, the Padres were said to be heavily after Betemit, as they have a major hole at third base. Grabbing Betemit takes the best third baseman that the Padres could have gotten for Scott Linebrink straight up off the market.

However, the move goes well beyond that, most likely setting the Dodgers up with a terrific bat at the hot corner for the next few years and further frees up Cesar Izturis to be moved. Aybar simply isn't nearly as far along with his bat as Betemit is, and probably never will be. Betemit, a former top prospect, hit .305 with a little pop last year and is currently batting .281 with 9 homers this season in limited playing time. He has good power, terrific average-hitting skills, and his defense is coming along.

Furthermore, what does this do to Betemit's fantasy value? It takes him from being a solid NL-Only option to a legitimate short-term option in mixed leagues, while the probability that Izturis will be moved in the next couple of days would give him long-term value. For now, Izturis will likely shift from third to second base (though Betemit can simply move there himself, as he's played plenty at 2b this season with the Braves) while Jeff Kent is on the disabled list. Given a healthy Kent, Betemit's bat is much more useful to the Dodgers than Izturis', though Izturis' glove is vastly superior. Chalk Betemit up for a starting role, though, which makes him a terrific (and relatively cheap) option in any league!

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[1] Re: MLB Player News: [Trade] Wilson Betemit (2b/3b), LA by Jeff Brown on 07/29/2006 02:13 am

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FIC Bot wrote:

further frees up Cesar Izturis to be moved.

I hope the Cubs are listening ....

[2] Re: MLB Player News: [Trade] Wilson Betemit (2b/3b), LA by stlsportsfan on 07/29/2006 02:28 am

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Jeff Brown wrote:

FIC Bot wrote: further frees up Cesar Izturis to be moved. I hope the Cubs are listening ....

you should hope the Cardinals are listening too...I don't want doo-doo Miles out there anymore.

[3] by dpaullin on 07/29/2006 02:45 am

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I'm actually kind of surprised the Braves pulled the trigger on this move with Chipper injured and Betemit actually getting hot right now.

It would be nice for the Braves to acquire Pedro Feliz from those Cubbies now.

[4] Re: MLB Player News: [Trade] Wilson Betemit (2b/3b), LA by Jeff Brown on 07/29/2006 02:47 am

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stlsportsfan wrote:

Jeff Brown wrote: FIC Bot wrote: further frees up Cesar Izturis to be moved. I hope the Cubs are listening .... you should hope the Cardinals are listening too...I don't want doo-doo Miles out there anymore.

True.

[5] by Jeff Brown on 07/29/2006 02:50 am

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dpaullin wrote:

It would be nice for the Braves to acquire Pedro Feliz from those Cubbies now.

You mean from the Giants?

Oh, you must mean Neifi Perez.

[6] by NyRaider81 on 07/29/2006 11:32 pm

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The braves will continue to stink up the place anyway. They have no shot at the mets.

[7] by hessshaun on 07/29/2006 11:34 pm

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Jeff Brown wrote:

dpaullin wrote: It would be nice for the Braves to acquire Pedro Feliz from those Cubbies now. You mean from the Giants? Oh, you must mean Neifi Perez.

No comment.