The presence of Ronny Cedeno made Yuniesky Betancourt expendable. But what did the Mariners get in return? This is a trade that is meant to shore up the farm system of the Mariners with at least one arm they can use as a starter and another out of the bullpen.
Danny Cortes is a thin 6'6" right-handed power pitcher with great upside. He was considered by many to be the top pitching prospect in the Kansas City organization. He throws an effortless 90's fastball and hits 95 regularly. He throws an above average breaking ball as a solid secondary pitch. Command and control remain issues, as they do with many young pitchers, but he should move his way nicely through the Mariners system. He'll report to AA.
Derrick Saito is a left-handed relief pitcher. He's only 5'9" tall and weighs about 155 pounds. He has excellent commmand of a good fastball and offspeed pitches. Saito does not have the velocity to close-he is more of a middle-reliever. He can bridge to power arms with good control and good mound presence. He will be assigned to a minor league A team. His strikeout to walk ratio is exceptional.
Both are good prospects-Cortes is more advanced and could be moved through the system quickly.
Betancourt is currently suffering from a pulled hamstring. He will be on a rehab assignment with Kansas City. The Royals need a shortstop because of the injury to Mike Aviles. While former Mariner Willie Bloomquist has played well for Kansas City, he is needed at virtually every position on the field. Tony Pena, Jr. is a good fielder but he can't hit. Thus, the trade. It's interesting to note that Betancourt is hitting .250, which is 27 points below his lifetime batting average. He's a slick fielder and runs well, but Seattle has faith in Cedeno.
When this trade is evaluated in two years, it will likely be Cortes that people talk about. We know what Betancourt can bring. Cortes was highly thought of by the White Sox when they drafted him, by the Royals when they traded for him in the Mike MacDougal deal and now by the Mariners.
Kansas City has stablized their shortstop position for years to come. Betancourt is signed to a multi-year contract. And the Royals will get cash from the Mariners to help pay his salary. Not a bad deal...for either club.