San Francisco Giants, Yuniesky Betancourt And Hell Frozen Over

Jul 23, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Yuniesky Betancourt (11) throws to first against the Los Angeles Angels during the fifth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants always seem to be on some type of search for an infielder – be it a everyday player or a backup. Maybe that’s why the name Yuniesky Betancourt strikes fear into the hearts of Giant fans like Scott Hairston sitting on a Barry Zito “fastball”.

Yesterday, the Philadelphia Phillies released the journeyman shortstop which instantly set the interwebz ablaze with suggestions that the Giants, who are incredibly poor with infield depth, may take a look into the former long time Kansas City Royal.

At one time early in his career, Betancourt wasn’t half bad – hell – he was actually more than decent, putting together two consecutive seasons where he hit .289, followed by a .279 average in that third year. For a usually offensively challenged position, that wasn’t half bad. But then Betancourt hit a wall and hit it hard, only hitting plus .250 once in the past five years – the highest season average during that time-frame a .259 in 2010.

Defensively? It’s vomit inducing. With a career NEGATIVE 3.1 WAR, semi-limited range and a career that peaked at average on defense, Betancourt is essentially an offensive player – an awful one at that.

The Giants are lacking significantly when it comes to infield depth off the bench – nobody will deny that. But players like Betancourt aren’t the answers and Brian Sabean knows that. I think. Christ, I hope.

HE KNOWS THAT RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!?!?