Thoughts on the Betemit trade

Keeping in mind that I don't know a great deal about Danys Baez or Willy Aybar, nor do I closely follow the Braves minor league system (so I don't know who's "up and coming" in the near future), I can't really say I'm pleased with the Wilson Betemit trade. Here's why.

With each passing day, Chipper Jones reinforces the point that he's an "old" 34. His games played per season have steadily fallen since 2003. He couldn't handle the punishment in left field and I don't think his body is able to withstand the rigors of playing third base anymore. I'll give you the fact that he's still a productive player, but only when he's on the field. Not when he's warming the bench or the disabled list. Personally, I'd trade Chipper in the offseason. (No, I'm not much of a Larry Wayne fan.) If you're a sentimentalist, give him a first baseman's mitt and see what he can do on the other corner of the field and send Adam LaRoche packing. Either way, Betemit is the starting three bee-er in 2007; he's younger, he's cheaper, he's healthier, and he's signed through 2010.

Or:

Marcus Giles is a pretty good second baseman. He sucks as a lead-off hitter. Edgar Renteria has made me forget about ol' "what's his name" who used to play short in Atlanta. He's a natural two hole guy. So's Giles. In my mind, one of them has got to go before next season. Betemit is a solid lead-off guy. He plays a pretty good second base. Marcus is traded; problem solved.


But I'm getting ahead of myself. I'm looking at next year, and we've got the rest of this season and a wild card spot to worry about now. Wilson Betemit has been a great player off the bench. He's also been great filling in for the previously mentioned, oft-injured Chipper Jones. And correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't he filled in for Marcus as well? Did we just throw the baby out with the bath water?

It's all a moot point now. We've got a prospect type player who's not as far along, development-wise, as Wilson is, and some bullpen help who'll probably move on to greener pastures next season. The one good thing in all this is the fact that Wilson finally gets a shot at being an every day player. Methinks JS got fleeced on this deal; I can only hope I'm proved wrong.


Edit: I just read that Chipper is day to day after hurting himself again(!) last night. I hope the clubhouse staff is able to get this Aybar kid's jersey ready in time for this afternoon's game, 'cause it sounds like we'll need a third baseman.