Gabbard’s probably got more value than Horne, with his MLB success.  At least, it makes sense that a GM could see things that way - comparing them is complicated.  Daniels got two guys who can play (not that well, probably) in MLB right now, just as he got MLB-ready Saltalamacchia in his other trade - it looks to me like that’s what he values.

I’m confused about Betemit - do you guys really think they’ll cut Cairo?  Betemit has been used as a corner player, not a middle infielder, in the last few years, and he’s 6-3, 230.  I assumed that Betemit would take playing time from Shelley Duncan, while playing a teeny bit at 3B and LF/RF if Damon goes on the DL.  I’m not the Yankee expert, so why is that not the consensus here?

why does everyone assume Gagne will be a Type A Free Agent?  he’s done nothing 2 out of the last 3 seasons.

Personally I wouldn’t rate Theo over Cashman, I think they’re both among the best. I just think Cashman’s been handcuffed a lot, not only by an interfering ownership but by a major league roster that doesn’t have a lot of movable pieces. When is the last time Cashman traded a top flight prospect? I’m not a Yankeeologist, so correct me here, but he seems like he’s sticking to a long-term plan, and if things are not as good this year, it’s because the Yankees have put off the process of turning over their roster for too long. The Sox were pretty unimpressive the last two years, but that WS team is 80% history… as it needed to be. And now things are falling into place. I don’t think you can win ten straight division titles and retool at the same time. My $.02. If Cashman holds on to all those minor leaguers you guys keep talking about, the 2009 Yankees could be one hell of a team.

Gagne’s deal ain’t done til it’s done, but if we get him for Murphy and Gabbo, that’s a no-brainer. I’ve been thinking Gabbo is the odd man out now that Lester is around. He’s been great at home, crap on the road. That’s not going to cut it in the #5, and anyway we have other kids coming up. Ditto for Murphy, he had no future in Boston.

Daniels got two guys who can play (not that well, probably) in MLB right now, just as he got MLB-ready Saltalamacchia in his other trade - it looks to me like that’s what he values.

That’s a fair point. Daniels needs something to show for his trades after this season has gone way off the rails. I value Horne over Gabbard, but for this season, Gabbard is more likely to produce something at the major league level.

If as others have posted on this board that Cashman’s history of importing players is so piss-poor, why would you want him to continue the same trend again this year? It seems to me Cashman’s taking a very logical approach to all of this, trading for and signing big-name pitchers haven’t exactly won us anything, why not try for some internal solutions? Isn’t doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results the definition of insanity? Losing the division by 8 games or 20 doesn’t matter at this point, worry about Cleveland instead.

I’m not the Yankee expert, so why is that not the consensus here?

Probably because a lot of the complaints are that when Jeter or Cano sits, Cairo’s offense is a black-hole.  Other than that…yeah, it seems he just ISN’T a middle-infielder.  He could still be useful, but I don’t know if that makes Cairo go away either.  Duncan is most likely to be sent down now.

Is Milledge that good?  I see his upside as .280, 20 HR’s.  I don’t like his glove that much, nor his attitude, nor do I think he has blazing speed.  The Mutts are in a win-now mode, unless you think John Maine and Oliver Perez are not playing over their heads (they may not be).  But right now the Mets have an opportunity and they should go for it- Heillman is no great shakes.  The key is draft picks- if a prospect can be replaced via the draft isn’t that enough to compensation when you include a shot at a ring?

It’s easy to look at Abrue versus Sheff this season and say who the better performer is.  But if you asked the Tigers’ GM what he was expecting from Sheff, I’m sure even he’s surprised by the output.  You just never know with wrist injuries.  Also, He doesn’t have to play the field in Detroit, a big difference.  The yankees had no need for another DH.

I’m not a Yankeeologist, so correct me here, but he seems like he’s sticking to a long-term plan, and if things are not as good this year, it’s because the Yankees have put off the process of turning over their roster for too long.

This is pretty much how I see it. Of course, Cashman has to bear some responsibility for the rough patches they’ve hit this year, but I do have confidence in the long-term plan.

The thought process behind keeping Abreu over Sheffield still makes sense to me. Abreu was the younger player, had played very well last year, and hadn’t had a serious injury to his most important offensive talent. It hasn’t worked out and that sucks, but I can’t fault the reasoning.

Where was super-scout Cashman on Carlos Pena when everyone else and their mother and Doug Mientsnjz got a shot at 1B? And Ted Lilly who had moderate success in the AL East?  And how could you not get a decent backup C to start the year?  And what about Endy Chavez- seemed like a good, cheap guy to have on the bench and as a pinch runner?  In fact, what creative move has worked out for Cashman other than Bruney?  I am not 100% anti-Cashman- I love the dedication to the farm but hate his MLB moves.  One move I can’t criticize is Abreu over Sheff- given what we saw last year from Abreu and the fact that Sheff hurt his wrist I thought that was the right move at the time (and I really like Sheff).  We were all wrong on that.

This is pretty much how I see it. Of course, Cashman has to bear some responsibility for the rough patches they’ve hit this year, but I do have confidence in the long-term plan.

What’s amazing, though, is how quickly he is getting young players with high upside onto this team. I like Wilson Betemit as the long term utility man solution (he can even perhaps play a little outfield.) His SB’s don’t inspire much, as I’d like the utility to guy to also steal some bases, but that could very well just be a function of how LAD used him.

2 years ago, we were seemingly getting older by the second. Now, for 2008,  we’ve got 3 young starters, a young CF, and a young 2B to complement Jeter, ARod (he’ll stay), Mo and Posada.  Cashman basically has to chip away at this roster to remove guys like Sheffield, RJ, Giambi, Damon, Pavano (and now Mussina) and in the process, win games. It’s not easy and I think he’s doing a fine job.

Where was super-scout Cashman on Carlos Pena when everyone else and their mother and Doug Mientsnjz got a shot at 1B?

He was all over him last year and the guy was a mediocre hitter in AAA. Wasn’t Pena an NRI this spring?

I like Betemit a lot but there’s some things that need to be cleared up:

1. The next time he plays 1B in the majors will also be the first time he’s played there.

2. He won’t be useful subbing for Cano against a LHP since Betemit’s never had success against them. Put him up against a RHP and he’s a thumper.

If Damon or Giambi play and get hot they can still be traded since their contracts would probably clear waivers.  Maybe that’s still a possibility…
The Pena lapse is a valid criticism- what did they see in Phelps or Mientkevitz track-record?

“I’m not the Yankee expert, so why is that not the consensus here?”

A lack of familiarity with Betemit. There were directly conflicting scouting reports on his defense with posts of one another on Primer. As of now, I’m assuming he’s in the Ty Wigginton mode, in that he can stand at second even if he doesn’t look the part. Of course, with A-rod, there’s no reason to keep Cairo now that they have Betemit, but after I got over the initial excitement of the trade, I realized Cairo is staying and Betemit is probably going to be a corners guy and maybe a long term solution at third (when A-rod goes back to SS) or first.

The Yankee announcing crew is going to be pissed if Shelley is sent down.

Where was super-scout Cashman on Carlos Pena when everyone else and their mother and Doug Mientsnjz got a shot at 1B?

Caros Pena is a horrible defensive 1B. In his best year, he’s 80% of Jason Giambi. Why waste the roster spot on a crapshoot like that? The Red Sox past on him, too.

Endy Chavez

Career OPS+ of 76.  That’s right, 76.  He sucks, plain and simple.

He was all over him last year and the guy was a mediocre hitter in AAA. Wasn’t Pena an NRI this spring?

I believe so.  Pena wasn’t all that great in the Yanks system.  He’s producing now, but before you consider him a diamond in the rough, just remember: regression to the mean.

Carlos Pena? He was in Boston too last year—his hometown—and flopped there too. I don’t think 29 GMs can be criticized for not expecting the light to go on in Carlos Pena’s head this year. I’m happy for Pena, lots of guys are *this close* to making it and never quite iron it out. But it’s a fluke that he turned it around.

Gagne to Sox is done, and he’s apparently accepting a setup role. Reports on the compensation are still Gabbo, Murphy and that kid I’ve never heard of (warning signs…).

The Pena lapse is a valid criticism- what did they see in Phelps or Mientkevitz track-record?

Pena OPSed .824 in Columbus last year. He’d never slugged .500 or OBPed .350 over more than 100 major league ABs. I don’t think anybody could have foreseen what he’s done this season.

I just noticed the html for this post “breaking_proctor_shipped_to_la”.  Moderately amusing considering how abused he’s been in NY.

what did they see in Phelps or Mientkevitz track-record?

The front office saw they same thing you and every other fan and media pundit saw, a stacked lineup that was going score a thousand runs this year and could afford to carry a weak hitting first baseman. Pena has had a great year, but then again, he’s playing for Tampa Bay. There’s no Jason Giambi, Andy Phillips, Miguel Cairo and Joe Torre to block Pena playing time.

Kay says inside sources tell him that Texas never lowered their demands of Hughes, Joba or Kennedy for Gagne.  Horne was never even in play.  In other words Texas would only trade with the Yankees unless it was one sided; a steal.  But from Boston they seemed quite content to accept little to nothing.

I would’ve loved to see this deal be accompanied by another deal for bullpen help, but whoever said Britton or Edwar can adequately replace Proctor—before you even consider the Joba addition—is probably right. 

As I said in previous comment thread, .833 OPS is pretty damn good.  Better than Beltran, Hafner, Cuddyer, Berkman and Frank Thomas.  Check out improvement in K/BB:

2007: 49/32 (1.53/1)
2006: 102/36 (2.83/1)
2005: 55/22 (2.50/1)

I think if he was able to handle 3B defensively, it shouldn’t be a problem.  Phillips’ splits, however, are not conducive to a platoon with Betemit (.330 vs. righties I believe).  At least in this year’s small sample size—anyone have his career splits?

My guess is Cairo stays.  Joba takes Proctor’s spot; Betemit takes Duncan’s.  Much preferable of course is Duncan stays and Farnie goes.

Where was super-scout Cashman on Carlos Pena when everyone else and their mother and Doug Mientsnjz got a shot at 1B?

um, who said Cashman was a scout?

it’s the SCOUTS’ jobs to SCOUT players and give SCOUTING reports to Cashman who makes decisions.

Kay says inside sources tell him that Texas never lowered their demands of Hughes, Joba or Kennedy for Gagne.

if this is true, can everyone quit whining?

how can you blame cashman for not dealing his 3 best pitching prospects for a rental of a reliever.

it’s like everyone here was born in 1996.

“a young CF”

BTW, no way is Melky playing (and succeeding) in the majors without Cashman at the helm.

I don’t blame Cash for not accepting Texas’s blackmail but I’m annoyed that some teams refuse to deal in good faith with the Yankees.

I agree with PagsRags that Detroit and Cleveland’s lack of interest in Gagne, Dotel, or any kind of bullpen upgrade is curious.  Good pens are key to October success—Bosox looking very good now IMO.

And for the record— you could look it up on RLYW archives—I was agitating last summer for C. Pena to be called up and given real PT.

bebop- I think you are right about Texas hatred for NY. Sure they made the A-Rod deal, but they were desperate at the time. They are probably still very anti-Yankee for the punishing playoff defeats and the fact they are still paying A-rod. This very well can explain why they and a lot of teams don’t like doing business with NY. There is some envy for not having deep pockets. I can see why teams don’t want to even take a chance on strengthening the Yanks, that despite the Yankees selling out their ballparks when they come to town.
Have to get on the bandwagon “somewhat” with Cashman’s performance of late, however we may be loving the guy in 24 months if reality matches expectations regarding the young three so-called pitching studs. Sometimes you have to wait a year or two to see results.

Gabbard could well be a solid ML pitcher for Texas (comps have been made to Jimmy Key), so they did alright for Gagne, who is afterall a two month rental. And Gagne will not bring compensation so Texas did the right thing. As did the Yankees in not budging on the big three.

Also, the Rangers might have settled for Horne if the Yankees added in Austin Jackson.

Anyway, Gagne will be paid $3.65 million or so by the Bosox, that is his bonus for finishing games, which is unlikely to happen in Boston. Otherwise he would not have waived his no trade.

As for Okajima, talk about someone due for a correction.

Gabbard could well be a solid ML pitcher for Texas (comps have been made to Jimmy Key)

Talk about a best-case scenario. Looks like Randy Keisler to me.

I admit I’m also a Dodgers fan (ahh, the schizophrenia of living on both coasts), and it seems I will still be keeping up with the Burninator.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, Mr. Proctor.  It’s less ridiculous hot in LA.

Alright, that’s unfair. Gabbard has somewhat better control than Gabbard.

Gabbard has somewhat better control than Keisler, rather. Not a whole lot of upside there, really.

I don’t blame Cash for not accepting Texas’s blackmail but I’m annoyed that some teams refuse to deal in good faith with the Yankees.

I wonder if that’s partially the Yankees fault.  The Yankees of the 80’s and early 90’s may have set the current situation up.  I mean, as ridiculous as Sanders for Hughes sounds to us, there was a time that the Yankees would have given that serious consideration.  Perhaps teams are just playing to that mindset now.

it’s funny reading comments on BTF from people who aren’t yankee fans for a different perspective on proctor for betemit:

I hate how the Yankees can trade a pile of beans for a decent player. Even if Betemit is just a bench player he helps them.

Me too. And Betemit also provides insurance for a possible AROD-less 08.

The Betemit-for-Proctor deal looks bad for the Dodgers to me, though I suppose it’s a case of dealing a supplemental player for short-term relief help. I also join with the multitudinous throngs who predict that Proctor’s arm will fall off soon due to overuse.

Looks like a great deal for the Yankees. I love a young infielder that can slug .450 ... that’s a solid player to begin with, and one that might start hitting like Howard Johnson or Jeff Kent.

I wonder if that’s partially the Yankees fault.

i really think it was more of a PR issue from the fallout of trading A-Rod to the Yankees then trading Soriano for a pile of beans.

how do you tell your fans you sold another star to the Yankees?

They tried to sell Arod to Boston first though if I’m GM of a going nowhere team I would have preferred a young Soriano to a probably unhappy Manny.

I don’t think Texas holding the Yankees to a higher standard is a case of “anti-Yankee” bias, but rather just a calculated decision that the Yankees would eventually budge from not offering their top prospects.

As for the players they got from Boston, Gabbard probably IS better than the draft picks they’d get for Gagne. What would Gagne even return in draft picks? Compensatory draft picks are based on the last two seasons, right? Gagne didn’t PLAY the last season before this!! And barely played before that!

But yeah, definitely a nice pick-up for Boston. Especially if they manage to keep him as the closer next year and sent Paps to the rotation.

As for the Yankees, yeah, I’m disappointed that this all they did. Proctor for Betemit is a good trade (especially because this is likely the peak of Proctor’s value), but I don’t think it really addresses any of their major concerns, and heck, it probably causes a couple more (who plays first? and how do we avoid Farnsworth pitching now?), but Cleveland didn’t do anything to improve themselves, so that’s nice.

By the by, can anyone ever recall a trade involving two players that was discussed two years in a row (Betemit for Proctor last year, and now now). That’s weird, right?

Props to Cashman for not making a stupid, short-sighed trade.

Yankees will bring up a pitcher tomorrow, not Joba, probably Karstens or Edwar.

It’s not like the Rangers got nothing back for ARod- they got a young SUPERSTAR 2B (at that time).  They could very well be bitter that they’re still paying for ARod and the Yanks are trying to keep them paying by extending him.  Also, who is their GM?  Is this another Boston kid?

Brian, there are compensation picks only for type ‘A’ FA’s now and Gagne is not a type ‘A’, for the reasons you mention. Otherwise he would bring the Bosox those comp picks if he leaves after this season.

Also, Proctor will be a MUCH better pitcher in the NL West than he has been in the AL East.

Wonder who might appear on the waiver wire.  We get to pick ahead of most/all o

of the other contenders

I liked Proctor, warts and all, but this is a sound move.  Betimet’s not great.  His good offense for an infielder is hurt by pretty poor defense around the infield, at least as tracked by ZR, but he gives an old and fragile team some depth that they sorely need.

Proctor probably had his career year last year, and whether it’s regression, symptoms of overuse, or some combination of the two, he’s not been as good this year.  The Yankees got Proc cheaply enough, got a good season out of him and then flipped him for someone who makes the team better. I thank Proctor for his Herculean efforts in 2006.

It’s tough to not like this move.

As far as Boston getting Gagne, I agree with MCoA in post 101.  Gabbard has pitched successfully in the majors which gives him more value than he probably deserves, and probably more than Horne.  As Don mentions, Gagne’s not likely to be a Type A free agent considering he threw a combined 15 innings the last two years, so Texas got a couple of pieces who can probably fill out the back ends of their pitching staff and bench for a guy they were going to lose anyway, with a toolsy lottery ticket thrown in.

Horne is tearing up AA, but he’s not young for his league and he’s got a pretty significant injury history.  Obviously I expect Horne to be one of the five homegrown aces the Yankees will be running out there over the next decade, but realistically, the attrition rate on pitching prospects is pretty damn high and out of the group of Hughes, Chamberlain, Bettances, Kennedy, Horne, and Marquez, more than two having a significant major league career would be out of the norm, as much as it sucks to think about.

Getting Gagne wouldn’t have made the Yankees any more of a playoff team than they are right now.  Far more crucial to their chances would be a return to form by Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu, a healthy and productive base-clogging Jason Giambi, and a better performance by Mike Mussina.

Chris Britton, Joba Chamberlain, and/or Edwar Ramirez should be able to replace Proctor’s innings with a negligible difference in value.  If I were the Yankees I’d throw the Farns on waivers now and see if anyone tries to claim him in a blocking move.  If they do, tell them “He’s all yours.”

Brian, there are compensation picks only for type ‘A’ FA’s now and Gagne is not a type ‘A’, for the reasons you mention. Otherwise he would bring the Bosox those comp picks if he leaves after this season.

Thanks, Don! That’s about what I figured, so in that case, Texas pretty much HAD to trade Gagne, right?

comps have been made to Jimmy Key

Not by anyone with a brain.

I like the idea of putting Farnsworth on waivers right away, but I can almost guarantee that no one would risk taking him.

The Randy Myers move of 1998 still haunts teams, I am sure.

So then the yankees should have no trouble continuing to try to trade Farnsworth. He will most certainly clear waivers.

I believe that type B FAs also bring compensation. Isn’t it second and a sandwich?

They’ll definitely be ABLE to keep trying to trade him, WJ, but I wouldn’t say they should have no trouble.

Re: Gabbo—I was at the game in seattle where he coughed up 5 runs in the first (or thereabouts) on a series of 4-pitch walks and hit batsmen. He just completely lost it. Apparently that happened to him another time recently, though later in the game when it wasn’t as devastating. Both on the road.

This is a small sample size, as is his whole ML record, but he’s either prone to an occasionally fluky inning, or he’s pitching on thin, thin ice.

Still, he’s good for the Rangers, since they built that stupid stadium where any of us could pop a wiffle ball out. Gabbo’s pitches all tend to angle down. He’ll kill some worms, or scorpions, or whatever grows in the lawns down there.

New Agreement Includes Draft, Rule 5 Changes

Some changes have been made to the draft-pick compensation afforded teams which lose major league free agents. Type C free agents have been eliminated, while teams that lose Type B free agents, which had previously received a pick from the signing club, will now get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. (This was pursued by the union to remove the disincentive for teams to sign those players.) Those changes go into effect immediately.

The number of players deemed Type A and B has been tweaked as well. Type A free agents, whose former team continues to receive a first- or second-round pick from the signing club as well as an extra pick between the first and second rounds, will be reduced from the 30 percent of players (as determined by a statistical formula) to 20; the Type B band is reduced from 31-50 percent to 21-40.

So yes, Type B free agents do return a sandwich pick to their team.  Since Gagne’s not even going to be a Type B most likely, it doesn’t matter.

I’m sure the Yankees will put Farnsworth on waivers tomorrow - a lot of teams put players on waivers right after the deadline.  I think there is a chance someone could claim him.  I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with EVERY team’s needs at closer/setup, and some may feel he is worth the risk.  Or if the Yankees can spread some misinformation, there is a chance a contender could pick him up to block another team (think the Yankees getting Canseco).

Remember too that if/when he clears waivers, his value goes up.  There are teams that may need a closer more at the end of August than they do now, and since Farnsworth has already cleared waivers, he’s easier to get.  Though the Yankees won’t get any help for this year, I don’t think.

Still, he’s good for the Rangers, since they built that stupid stadium where any of us could pop a wiffle ball out. Gabbo’s pitches all tend to angle down. He’ll kill some worms, or scorpions, or whatever grows in the lawns down there.

So, they’re gonna like him, they’re gonna love him? ‘Cause he can do most anything. He can do the hully-gully. He can imitate Vin Scully. He’ll pass out shiny dimes. He’ll travel back in time. Is that what you’re saying?

Gabbard had a 5.23 era last year in AAA over 8 starts at the age of 24.  Jimmy Key?  I don’t thinks so.  Sounds more like Matt Desalvo.

rLr-LOL

I don’t get the reference, but it sums up my attitude toward the Rangers well enough. They’re not a team I wish well. Hicks is a jerk.

You don’t get the reference?

Gabbard=Gabbo!

Man, you’ve gotta start watching some golden era Simpsons episodes, dude.

rLr — Funny stuff.

Gabbo Theme Song Lyrics

” Simpsons - Gabbo Theme Song Lyrics print version

You’re gonna like me, your gonna love me.
Cause I can do most anything.
I can do the hully gully,
I can immitate Vinc Scully.:
“Lets take a time out from that triple play for this
message from Farmer Dan’s pure pork sausages. Mmm, mmm”
I’ll give out shiney dimes.
I’ll travel back in time.
Your gonna like him, your gonna love him.
Cause it’s the greatest show in town!
Gabbo! ”

Agreed, brilliant pots by rLr

This poison-pill negotiating with the Yankees… I don’t get it. The difference between what we gave up (bubkis, really) and their insisting on Phil Hughes is startling. Did they think the Yankees put one over on them in the A-Rod deal?

Another thing I’ll never understand, along the same lines, is why we got Pedro when we did and not the Yanks. I can’t recall the Yanks’ offer, but Pavano and Armas was a meager return. I don’t get why the Sox get away with some of these deals and the Yankees don’t. To be sure, I ain’t complaining. Not a bit.

SORRY!!!!

I really should know these things, although I truthfully haven’t seen the Gabbo episode in years, so I only remember a few lines. Thanks for filling in one of my many blanks.

Gabbard is a LHP and they have a history of developing later in their careers.

See, people wonder why I would read this site. Well, there you have it.

Because a lot of teams are jealous of the Yankees success?

Ugh—I used to take great pride in my comprehensive Simpsonology… but then the kids came along, and now I’m lucky to remember my clothes, or watch a tivo’ed Sox game fast-forwarded.

170: as good an answer as any. But do they shoot themselves in the foot? Surely someone w/ the Rangers knows what they’re doing. OK, maybe not.

Put one over on the rangers? They traded them Alfonso Soriano, who in his two years in Texas won back to back silver sluggers, had a 30/30 year, drove in and scored two hundred runs, while making average $6 million per season. He wasnt an mvp type player but come on.

Seattle Sox: do you already know the outcome when you watch the TiVoed game?

Let’s kick some ChiSox butt!

The Expos wanted two young arms for Pedro that they KNEW would be quality major league starters (neither Armas nor Pavano turned out particularly well, but both pitched in the majors for 10 years or so, which is an impressive achievement for pitching prospects).

The Yankees had, if I recall correctly, one arm to offer (whoever it was must not have turned out well).

The Red Sox, courtesy of the Mike Stanley/Armas deal, had two, so they won.

Any interest in Kielty?  Just got released.

Where was super-scout Cashman on Carlos Pena when everyone else and their mother and Doug Mientsnjz got a shot at 1B?

Carlos Pena? He was in Boston too last year—his hometown—and flopped there too.

IIRC, Pena wound up in Boston because he only signed with the Yankees on condition that they would give him his unconditional release if they weren’t in a position to get him meaningful MLB playing time before September 1.  So now we’re criticizing Cashman for having the decency to keep his promises?

Anyway, slugging 454 as a 28 year old in AAA is not all that impressive.  There really was nothing in his track record to suggest that he’d slug 600 in MLB in 2007.  And it was the Red Sox who had him on their 40-man at the end of 2006—Epstein didn’t think he was worth a roster spot, either.

I don’t criticize Cashman for the Pena move, but that being said, I don’t think it counts as “decency to keep his promises,” as it was a contractual agreement, right?

174: well, the game is usually 5 innings old when I leave work, so I have an idea.

SG, Horne supposedly wasn’t part of the negotiations because Texas never moved off their original demand.

yeah, on Abraham’s blog it was Kennedy, Melky or no deal.

does anyone here think they should have done that?

182 - hell no.

I think the Proctor-Betemit trade was a good one, at least in terms of talent swapping.  I’ll miss Proctor a bit - he was likeable.  But he’s an emminently fungible middle reliever, and Betemit is a good player.  The Yankee bench has gone from atrocious to solid pretty quickly.