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Dec 20, 2011 - Sometimes you just don't have a choice.
Sometimes, the Prodigal Son must return.
At 48, Phil Niekro returned to the Braves for one last start before retiring.
Junior Griffey returned to Seattle for one last go-around with the Mariners.
After more than a decade away, Willie Mays returned to New York for his swan song.
Rickey Henderson still hasn't rejoined the Athletics ... but we keep hoping.
And there's Yuniesky Betancourt.
In 2008, the Kansas City Royals saw something in Yuniesky Betancourt that nobody else saw, and so they traded for Betancourt and installed him as their every-day shortstop for the rest of that season. And the next season. The Royals didn't give up an awful lot to get Betancourt, nor did they pay him an awful lot.
In his season-and-a-half with the franchise, Betancourt batted .253/.282/.394, which isn't terrible for a shortstop. He also fielded terribly for a shortstop, which is terrible for a shortstop. The first real chance they had, the Royals traded him to the Brewers ... and sent along $2 million to help cover Betancourt's salary.
In Betancourt's defense, the Milwaukee Brewers won the National League Central title with Betancourt playing shortstop nearly every day. On the other hand, they cut him loose immediately after the season, making no effort to engage their division-winning shortstop for a return engagement.
They left that stroke of brilliance to the Kansas City Royals, who have signed Betancourt to a one-year contract.
Now, Betancourt's not slated for every-day duties. The Royals are set with young players at every infield position. But those young players do need guidance. They need guidance on not making plays at shortstop, not making plays at second and third base, not drawing walks or getting into good hitter's counts, and not always giving 110 percent. The Royals' young players will be the most well-tutored young players in the American League at those things.
So, kudos to general manager Dayton Moore on that account.
And gosh, we haven't even talked about all the season tickets that just got sold.
11 comments
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Comments
This actually makes me angry.
by Justin Bopp on Dec 20, 2011 4:32 PM EST reply actions
I feel like Santa cancelled Christmas.
Top Heavy Beer Drinker
by DnrW on Dec 20, 2011 4:33 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
This almost makes up for Ryan Braun's positive test.
Almost.
If I were Ryan Braun, I'd be really excited to be Ryan Braun, too.
I'm writing a little for disciplesofuecker.com now. Go there to read the stuff Jack, Jordan, and Toby write, and if you want to read some of my stuff, that's cool, too.
by Lefti on Dec 20, 2011 4:55 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Were you scared about Yuni returning to the Brewers?
Even when there was no chance, I thought it was still premature to plan on sitting back to enjoy the run-prevention extravaganza!
I could just picture him knocking the WADA doping agent over who’d come to collect Braun’s test and then tripping over his shoelaces after they both got up and knocking him over a 2nd time.
The WADA guy was so disoriented, he forgot to the sample back, and they only had invisible matter. Or something… There really isn’t anything that can make up for our Braun nightmare until it’s over!
FanGraphs should consider a venue for a Gallery Night... they could even serve a cake with a Win Expectancy Chart of the 7/7/11 Brewers' game etched in the frosting, and 7-up. Oh, yeah - and t-shirts that say "SABR-Friday." I'm totally there.
by Jess'HittheBall on Dec 20, 2011 5:16 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I know
I was exaggerating. Still, now that you’ve brought up the possibility that it’s all Yuni’s fault, things make so much more sense! No matter what the story ends up being, I’ll never be able to shake the feeling it’s somehow Yuni’s fault. He ruins everything.
If I were Ryan Braun, I'd be really excited to be Ryan Braun, too.
I'm writing a little for disciplesofuecker.com now. Go there to read the stuff Jack, Jordan, and Toby write, and if you want to read some of my stuff, that's cool, too.
by Lefti on Dec 20, 2011 5:48 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
turd in the stocking
by Bronzillo on Dec 20, 2011 4:57 PM EST reply actions
I better buy a Yuni shirtsy while it's still cheap.
by yuniform on Dec 20, 2011 5:40 PM EST via Android app reply actions
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings
Every time you type Yuni’s name, Endy Chavez gets leg pain.
by Chris_FB on Dec 20, 2011 6:52 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
GOD.
by sanford_and_son on Dec 21, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
PARADEBULATE!
by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Dec 20, 2011 8:44 PM EST reply actions
Go to mlbtraderumors, see Royals sign Betancourt
Come here, see article about Betancourt. Like clockwork. hahaha
by JaySchu on Dec 20, 2011 9:51 PM EST reply actions
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