Wilson Betemit

He's out of options, and the Yankees do have Morgan Ensberg. I think it completely reasonable that one of them doesn't make the team and the Giants are able to make a deal. Except that they probably won't, because the risk is too low. Does anyone know how his defense is at third? He came up as a shortstop...

Betemit has been a disappointment, but if he's not too expensive I would think he would be a great risk to take -- and still young.

That might work actually.  I'd reaaally like this.  The Yanks have no use for him besides as a backup so he'd probably come pretty cheap.  He's also still somewhat of a prospect, actually younger than most of ours.  And last year he was on pace for a 20 homer season but he got no playing time behind A-rod after he got traded to the Yanks.  He could also fill in for Vizquel at SS until he comes back, when he could then shift over to 3B.  And Jesus Christ on a cracker did he seriously get signed as a freakin 15-year-old?

I personally like the idea as well.  Not only is he relatively young and of some quality, but I believe he can play a variety of infield positions, which can give us some options and flexibility in terms of allowing a young player to develop.  I say go for it, even if Sanchez is the asking price.

D

Are the Yanks planning on using him as Jeter's backup? Their website's depth chart has him as the only backup at 3rd and ss, and also backing up first. He'd be a great choice at SS... where he can disappoint/be inconsistent and all that crap but still be league average or better. He's got 15-20 HR power, plays good defense all over the infield, and will be 26. Won't happen.

Betemit would probably be a stop-gap third baseman just like he's been everywhere else. His glove is nothing special at 3b. He has very limited major-league playing experience at ss. On the plus side: he's a switch-hitter; only 26; has a pretty good bat with power...especially off the bench. He contributes nothing to team speed. Unless the Giants can trade an aging veteran for him...forget it!

The only thing is what do we do with Rich Aurilia?

Aurilia could be a trade throw-in and would  be a good fit in Washington with the Nationals spelling their infield: 1b Dmitri Young; 2b Rafael Belliard; ss Christian Guzman--veterans like himself.  Along with Kline/Taschner, Hennessey/Messenger,etc. the Giants might package enough parts together to do a deal with the Nationals.  Then again, it would make too much sense.   At one time the Yankees supposedly expressed interest in Aurilia. Betemit would probably rather bounce up-down from Columbus and go to the play-offs with the Yanks by signing a minor-league deal.  Why embarrass himself with a glove in SF when he can possibly pinch-hit or DH his way to a World Series.  Ditto Konerko of the White Sox. Now, look for the Dodgers (Garciaparra) and Athletics (Chavez) to beat the Giants to the 3b acquisition trading-punch.  Don't hold your breath until Coletti trades his 3b phenom to the Giants because Nomar's there...  

Sabean is probably thinking.....can he play CF?