NEW YORK - The New York Yankees traded workhorse reliever Scott Proctor to the Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit on Tuesday in a deal that could add some punch to their limited bench.
<SCRIPT language=javascript>if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['gogwJULEYrM-']='&U=13bkedqmb%2fN%3dgogwJULEYrM-%2fC%3d600644.10864548.11458574.1442997%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d4622538';</SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>
Betemit hit .231 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs with Los Angeles, which acquired him from the Atlanta Braves in a deadline deal last season. He played mostly third base with the Dodgers but is unlikely to see much time there with Alex Rodriguez in the midst of an MVP-type season for New York.
Yankees manager Joe Torre has complained about the significant drop-off offensively from his starters to reserves, and Betemit could be the answer. The 25-year-old switch-hitter also can play shortstop and second base and is batting .320 (8-for-25) as a pinch hitter this season. He had pinch-hit homers in consecutive games at Atlanta in May.
Proctor developed into one of Torre's favorite relievers last season, going 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA in an AL-high 83 games. It was the second-most appearances by a pitcher in club history.
"Scott has a record of durability and success in one of the major markets in the country," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "We see him as a solid addition to our bullpen down the stretch."
The right-hander is 2-5 with a 3.81 ERA and four blown saves in 52 games this year. He finished off a rough June by burning some of his equipment on the field at Yankee Stadium after a loss to Oakland, and has a 2.84 ERA in July.
"I'm glad Joe put me in as many games he did," said Proctor, dismissing a question about overuse. "It showed he had confidence in me and I have nothing but respect for him. I want to go out and pitch every night if I can."
Proctor was drafted by the Dodgers in 1998 and traded to the Yankees in 2003 in the deal that landed Robin Ventura in Los Angeles.
He gives Dodgers manager Grady Little another option to get the ball to Takashi Saito, who has converted 26 of 29 save opportunities. Los Angeles was in a virtual tie with Arizona for the NL West lead entering play Tuesday.
"That's exciting going there, but I hate leaving here," Proctor said. "It was a great organization and you hate that it's come to this but Betemit's a good player. Hopefully he can help the team here and on the flip side I hope that I can go there and fill a major role."
The Yankees were eight back of Boston in the AL East and four behind Cleveland in the wild-card race before Tuesday's games. They haven't missed the playoffs since 1994 — when the postseason was wiped out by a strike.
<SCRIPT language=javascript>if(window.yzq_d==null)window.yzq_d=new Object();window.yzq_d['gogwJULEYrM-']='&U=13bkedqmb%2fN%3dgogwJULEYrM-%2fC%3d600644.10864548.11458574.1442997%2fD%3dLREC%2fB%3d4622538';</SCRIPT><NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>
Betemit hit .231 with 10 homers and 26 RBIs with Los Angeles, which acquired him from the Atlanta Braves in a deadline deal last season. He played mostly third base with the Dodgers but is unlikely to see much time there with Alex Rodriguez in the midst of an MVP-type season for New York.
Yankees manager Joe Torre has complained about the significant drop-off offensively from his starters to reserves, and Betemit could be the answer. The 25-year-old switch-hitter also can play shortstop and second base and is batting .320 (8-for-25) as a pinch hitter this season. He had pinch-hit homers in consecutive games at Atlanta in May.
Proctor developed into one of Torre's favorite relievers last season, going 6-4 with a 3.52 ERA in an AL-high 83 games. It was the second-most appearances by a pitcher in club history.
"Scott has a record of durability and success in one of the major markets in the country," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said. "We see him as a solid addition to our bullpen down the stretch."
The right-hander is 2-5 with a 3.81 ERA and four blown saves in 52 games this year. He finished off a rough June by burning some of his equipment on the field at Yankee Stadium after a loss to Oakland, and has a 2.84 ERA in July.
"I'm glad Joe put me in as many games he did," said Proctor, dismissing a question about overuse. "It showed he had confidence in me and I have nothing but respect for him. I want to go out and pitch every night if I can."
Proctor was drafted by the Dodgers in 1998 and traded to the Yankees in 2003 in the deal that landed Robin Ventura in Los Angeles.
He gives Dodgers manager Grady Little another option to get the ball to Takashi Saito, who has converted 26 of 29 save opportunities. Los Angeles was in a virtual tie with Arizona for the NL West lead entering play Tuesday.
"That's exciting going there, but I hate leaving here," Proctor said. "It was a great organization and you hate that it's come to this but Betemit's a good player. Hopefully he can help the team here and on the flip side I hope that I can go there and fill a major role."
The Yankees were eight back of Boston in the AL East and four behind Cleveland in the wild-card race before Tuesday's games. They haven't missed the playoffs since 1994 — when the postseason was wiped out by a strike.
