Indians Don't Get Much for Rafael Betancourt

The Indians traded relief pitcher Rafael Betancourt to the Rockies yesterday for minor league pitcher Connor Graham. It seems to me the Indians should have gotten more.

Graham is 23 years old and pitching fairly well in the A+ California League this year. He has a 3.14 ERA and good stuff. However, his control (41 walks in 80.1 IP so far this year) needs a lot of work.

The Indians save about $1.35 million if the Rockies are assuming all of Betancourt’s remaining 2009 salary, but given the fact the Rockies are in a race for the NL Wild Card and desperately need another arm in the bullpen, I think the Indians should have gotten someone who’s closer to being a sure thing to develop into a Major League player.