Today, the rumors circulating Yuniesky Betancourt have come to fruition as he has been traded along with cash considerations to Kansas City for two minor league pitchers, Dan Cortes and Derrick Saito. Cortes will go to AA and Saito will go to high A ball.

Yuniesky Betancourt was a player who was holding the Mariners back this season with his poor hitting and terrible defense. As arguably the worst player in the majors, Yuniesky made little effort to improve and get in shape, resulting in multiple benchings this year. Though shortstop remains a black hole in the Mariners lineup, that the Mariners have rid themselves of Betancourt is cause for celebration.

However, it doesn't stop there. Amazingly, Royals GM Drayton Moore actually gave us one of their best pitching prospects in Dan Cortes. Although Saito is not considered a big prospect, Cortes was ranked at #3 in the Royals system by Baseball America. A big guy at 6'6 and 205 lbs, Cortes throws his heater around 92-95mph, but needs to refine his offspeed stuff and his command. His stats thus far this year aren't overly impressive but with pitching prospects, who knows when/if he could make the next step.

Getting rid of Yuniesky Betancourt is good enough, but getting something of value for him is more than I could have asked for as a fan. Zduriencik continues to show that he is one of the major leagues best GM's.