More Thoughts On The Proctor Deal

I'm sure Yankees fans are looking at the Proctor for Betemit deal with mixed feelings. Personally, I dig the deal. Proctor has been so unstable and I don't think any of us can honestly say he's that great of a reliever. He walks way too many guys and he's prone to giving up big hits in the clutch. I'm glad he's gone. Joba Chamberlain's arrival is days away and he's a better pitcher now that Proctor will ever be. He will easily fill the void created in the bullpen with Proctor headed out of town.
As for Betemit, he's suited to play pretty much anywhere in the infield, kind of like a Miguel Cairo. Admittedly, I don't know much about him. I like the fact that he's only 27. It looks like he has decent power. His 10 dingers would be the 4th most on the current Yankees. Betemit also plays 3rd base. It's going to be a huge loss to the Yankees if A-Rod opts out of his contract and heads elsewhere. Betemit may be the contingency plan if that happens. There isn't going to be much out there next year in terms of available 3rd baseman. Betemit might not turn out to be too bad.
And it looks like the Red Sox landed Eric Gagne. BFD. It would have been nice to add Gagne to the Yankees mix, but it's not a great loss. I think Cashman did the right thing by not trading the young arms. And we shouldn't be concerned right now with what the Sox are doing. Right now the focus is on Cleveland and the wild card. We can still catch the Sox, but I'm more concerned with just getting into the dance.
The deadline is rapidly approaching and no news yet on Farnsworth's departure. We'll know soon.
J