MLB Trade Speculation: Why the Royals Should Trade Wilson Betemit Now
With the MLB trade deadline now less than two months away, it's time for some teams to start looking into players that they would like to move.
The Kansas City Royals are usually one of these teams, as they are often a seller when it comes to the trade deadline.
This year, there might not be a more tradable player in a Royals uniform than utility infielder Wilson Betemit.
Read on to find out why Kansas City needs to get cut ties with the one-time Braves prospect.
His Stock Couldn't Be Any Higher
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After coming to the Royals in 2009, Betemit has turned in two very impressive seasons so far with Kansas City.
Last season, he hit .297 while bashing 13 homers and knocking in 43 RBI in 84 games with KC.
This season, he is also hitting .297 with 13 doubles and 23 RBI in his first 46 games of the season.
Betemit is playing some of the best baseball of his life right now, and at just 29 years old, there likely will not be a better time than right now for the Royals to get decent value for him in a trade.
There Are Multiple Teams That Need Help at 3B
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The market for third baseman is pretty strong right now, which could mean that the Royals would get better value for dealing Betemit.
The Cardinals, Giants and Dodgers are all teams that could use an upgrade at the hot corner.
Although Betemit is only an average defender, his bat is what will attract teams the most.
His .297 batting average and OPS of over .360 combined in his last two seasons will get many teams' attention in a hurry.
He Is a Liability on Defense
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Betemit has a career .941 fielding percentage at the hot corner and he already has five errors in 41 games there this season.
Mike Aviles is the only other Royal who has logged time at third this season, and he has struggled defensively as well.
The different with Aviles is that third is not his natural position, and with more playing time over there, he should improve his fielding.
The problem with Betemit is that he has played most of his career at third base and hasn't made much improvement on the defensive end.
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Mike Moustakas
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Royals top 3B prospect Mike Moustakas is getting very close to being the next call-up to the big league team.
He's has been heating up on offense lately, as he is now raised his batting average up to .287 for the season, coupled with 15 doubles, 10 homers and 44 RBI in just 55 minor league games.
If he starts to heat up even more, this could force the Royals hand in bringing him up to the majors.
With KC's third baseman of the future possibly taking over this spot soon, Betemit has no place on this roster anymore.
It Could Help Make Baseball's No. 1 Farm System Even Better
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If there is anyone that knows a thing about building up a solid farm system from scratch, it's Royals GM Dayton Moore.
Moore is primarily responsible for the drastic improvement of KC's minor league system from one of the worst in baseball to the best in just a five-year span.
He has also orchestrated multiple trades to acquire other minor league talent to add more depth to the organization, which include acquiring pitching prospects Tim Collins and Will Smith near last season's trade deadline.
If the Royals deal Betemit this season, there is no little doubt that Moore would be trying to pick up more young talent in order to bolster an already deep farm system.
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