Worst Fantasy Trade Of The Season (So Far)

by faketeams on Jun 9, 2008 7:26 AM EDT in Baseball

Watching Joba Chamberlain pitch against the Kansas City Royals yesterday, I was vividly reminded of what I consider my worst trade of the season-to-date. I dealt Jose Guillen for Cleveland Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt. At the time, Betancourt was closing for the Indians, Joe Borowski wasn't yet pitching in minor league games and Jose Guillen was hitting .189 with 3 HR and 15 RBI.

I was aware I'd be selling Jose Guillen low. After all he was given a three-year/$36MM contract and wasn't going to go anywhere but the everyday line-up to work out his issues. Reports had Betancourt returning to the bullpen when Borowski returned, but I figured JoBo hadn't returned yet and Betancourt would remain a viable closing option in 2009 after JoBo's contract expires.

I am no longer sure of the second consideration. Betancourt has been awful since I acquired him - 11.1 innings pitched, 12 earned runs and a 2.12 WHIP with zeros in the Wins and Saves columns. Given he wasn't very good before that spell, I can see the Indians continuing down the Todd Jones Closer path the Tigers took. Without a tested (and passed) 9th inning reliever, why wouldn't the Indians give JoBo a one-year deal for 2009?

With all trades there are two sides to successfully judging them. What I acquired in the deal has not worked. How about Jose Guillen for the other side? In fewer ABs than he had on my team, Guillen has hit 7 HRs, driven in 32 and hit .351.

Given I am OK with hitting, that wouldn't hurt so much, but I acquired Betancourt to also help my last- and next-to-last ratios. Instead of helping stabilize those, Betancourt has helped keep them pegged at the bottom.

Anyway I slice this, Rafael Betancourt for Jose Guillen has been a miserable failure of a trade for me. What has been your worst trade to date?

Poll

Which of these trades is the worst?

Jose Guillen for Rafael Betancourt

19 votes

Rickie Weeks for Freddie Sanchez and Brian Fuentes

10 votes

Alexi Casilla, Shannon Stewart and Carlos Gonzalez for Carlos Guillen and Nick Swisher

11 votes

40 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

one comes to mind

last year…Brandon Phillips for Andy Laroche and Jason Hirsch….ouch.
This year….not trading Nick Johnson for James Loney…..and maybe my recent deal with Tongues….Burrell and Tavares for Maybin, Martin and my 2nd.
I hope Tavares can get on base to steal, and Burrell replicates his 2nd half from last year.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jun 9, 2008 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe

Martin and Maybin was a sweet deal. Adding the pick seemed to be a lot, but Burrell at $28 and Tavares at $10 are both valuable next season. You can recoup some of that value by either protecting them or trading them.

I dealt Tongues a $10 Geovany Soto, $1 Adam Kennnedy, $3 Aaron Heilman and Seth Smith on the farm for out-of-times Jason Kendall and Kaz Matsui along with a $33 Francisco Cordero. I can probably get a pick for Cordero in the off-season. I just hope Soto hits the rookie wall and, as a catcher, it is harder than typical. Next season is not a concern.

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by faketeams on Jun 9, 2008 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Adding Picks

There seems to be a lot of that going around this year. Last week, Andy and I were commiserating about having to “overpay” with an extra pick to get deals done.

As debated elsewhere, I really liked this year’s LaRoche deal for you.

by Rad on Jun 9, 2008 10:40 AM EDT reply actions

Extra picks

I wasn’t asked for my pick when I acquired Matsui/Cordero. I did add Smith, though, and he was taken with a 2nd round pick. With Holliday and Hawpe at the corners, I didn’t see Smith getting the full-time chance in Colorado.

Maybe Holliday is traded, but I don’t think it will be this season. Given the price paid for Teixeira last and the general opinion that the Rangers fleeced the Braves, I am not sure how easily the Rox can move him anyhow.

Plus, Smith has to be activated by Wednesday. I wouldn’t have an easy spot to go for that.

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by faketeams on Jun 9, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

LAROCHE

Speaking of Laroche he will be called up tomorrow with Hu sent to AAA.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jun 9, 2008 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't get

to stressed abotu Jose Guillen. You are talking about a really small sample size, and he’s his RBI will remain low on that offensive juggernaut known as the Royals.

Whta I am more curious about is the Betancourt play, in and of itself. He has had the opportunity to close in the past with Cleveland, and really has fizzled. I was wondering what your thought process was when you were acquring him, and why you made the decision to forego the whole SV category.

by thomasps3 on Jun 9, 2008 10:56 AM EDT reply actions

Betancourt

I had Ben Frnacisco to activate at the time plus a slew of others like Eric Chavez, Travis Buck etc. I figured I could replace a significant portion of Guillens production and add a pitcher who would be considered the nominal favorite to close in 2009. Just the sniff of closing is enough to get value back for a pitcher.

Betancourt was given a mulligan for his 2006 failure. He was lights out in 2007. utlimately, he fell on his face and has continued to keep it close to the pavement. he is currently working on a BABIP of .400. Unless the stat is completely useless, he should recover this season.

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by faketeams on Jun 9, 2008 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions