So far, the best argument for the Betancourt trade has been that he is an improvement over TPJ. Overstating the point is ineffective, even though it's fun to say that random geriatric sotfball players would be an improvement over TPJ. But really, Yunie v. TPJ is not the issue.

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I’m appropriating NYRoyal’s shorthand for the Northwest Arkansas Naturals because it’s more fun than not referring to a hardcore rap group. The following is a very quick rundown of results for the NWA hitters as of this afternoon. I plan to eventually update this with in-depth profiles of NWA position players who are deemed legitimate prospects. This should provide some context so that future numbers I provide will give us a better understanding of organizational depth. After the first six games…mothercrap things don’t look good.

 

1. Geraldo Valentin (OF)
   1. .500/.500/.773
   2. No walks! No Ks!
   3. 3 2bs, 1HR, 1 SB
2. Ovandy Suero (OF)
   1. .308/.357/.308
   2. 1 BB/ 1K
   3. NO Extra base hits…4/5 SB
3. Jose Duarte (OF)
   1. .278/.381/.278
   2. 3 BB/3K
   3. NO extra base hits…4/5 SB
4. Juan Richardson (3B)
   1. .269/.296/.308
   2. 1 BB/5K
   3. 1 2B
5. Irving Falu (2B)
   1. .250/.308/.250
   2. 1 BB/2 K
   3. NO extra base hits
6. Kila Kaaihue (1B)
   1. .227/.227/.364
   2. NO walks/5 Ks!
   3. 1 HR
7. Brian McFall (OF)
   1. .188/.316/.500
   2. 3 BB/5 K
   3. 1 HR, 1 3B
8. Kiel Thibault (C)
   1. .182/.182/.273
   2. NO walks/ 2 K
   3. 1 2B
9. Angel Sanchez (SS)
   1. .174/.174/.174
   2. NO walks/ 6 K
   3. NO extra base hits
10. Marc Maddox (2B)
    1. .111/.238/.111
    2. 2 BB/ 3 K
    3. NO extra base hits
11. Mario Lisson (3B)
    1. .091/.130/.182
    2. NO walks/ 8 K
    3. 2 2B
12. Adam Donachie (C)
    1. .083/.083/.083
    2. Nothing
    3. Nothing

Royals' crowded field of rotation candidates.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/525566.html

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

A-Rod's (rumored) deal with the Yankees involves incentives for reaching homerun milestones. The all-time leader in homeruns was indicted today. Coincidence?

Boras likely realized that he could net the most money by tying A-Rod's future earnings to the aforementioned incentives. But, by the time his former deal ran out he would have been too close for anyone to bet against him reaching the record. What to do? Opt out of that contract and negotiate a new one loaded with incentives. The highest bidding team would recognize the value of A-Rod chasing records in their stadium and jump at the chance. To ensure his pay day, Boras enlisted the help of his old friend from law school, now a federal prosecutor*, to vigorously pursue charges against Bonds. This all but ends Bonds' career, making his homerun mark more attainable.

*This part about Boras' law school acquaintance being a federal prosecutor is completely fabricated. As is the rest of it.