Braves possibly trading Betemit for bullpen help

The Atlanta Braves are dealing with the devil, the NY Yankees that is. They are in serious discussions about sending utility infielder Wilson Betemit to the Evil Empire for one of their best relievers in Scott Proctor. Now I know the Braves need help in the pen but do we really have to get rid of Betemit to get it. Can't we package Giles and a prospect instead? I just view Wilson as too valuable to trade, he can hit for power, hit for average, back up Chipper, play shortstop or second base. He can play all three infield positions as if it were his natural position.

Here's what we'd be getting in return for Wilson. Scott Proctor, in his second year of MLB, would become the Braves setup man for newly acquired closer Bob Wickman. Proctor is 3-2 with a 3.94 ERA, 60 strikeouts to only 23 walks. Opposing hitters are averaging only .226 against him. Like Betemit, his best baseball is being played after the allstar break. Since said break, Proctor has pitched 9 innings of shutout ball, given up only 3 hits with 12 strikeouts limiting hitters to a .103 average.

So that's what makes this deal so attractive to the Braves brass, only question mark about the deal is what they are going to do to replace Betemit's utility role. Two options appear in the form of minor league prospects Martin Prado and Yunel Escobar. Prado seems the likely candidate since he's been with the club before and plays a solid third base to back up Chipper.

I'm sold on this as a short term trade getting solid help in the pen where we need desperate help, but this is not a good long term trade. I'm pretty sure over the next five years, Betemit will have the greater career and bigger impact for a team than would Proctor.

We'll see how this unfolds in the next couple of days. If it happens I hope Betemit does well in NY.

Click on their names for stats and personal info.

Wilson Betemit
Scott Proctor