Yuniesky Betancourt is Drawing Interest?

Yuniesky Betancourt has interest for 2014. Seriously.

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

It’s happened to all of us. We read something and we’re not quite sure to believe what we’ve read. In this case, don’t rub your eyes.

The headline you read, if a report from MLB Trade Rumors is true (and there’s absolutely no reason to think it isn’t), Yuniesky Betancourt has some teams interested in his services for the 2014 season. While neither the number of teams nor and a list of said teams is provided, some may find this hard to fathom.

Did I mention that there’s a possibility he might start?

Last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Betancourt played five different positions: all four infield positions and left field. Someone had to fill the void left by Ryan Braun.

He also constructed a triple slash of .212/.240/.355. That’s an OPS of .595 and that all translates to an OPS+ of 60, lowest of his career. This while amassing 409 plate appearances in 137 games. Yes, 137 games. And, yes again, 409 PA.

Career-wise, Betancourt’s triple slash is .261/.285/.388, resulting in an OPS of .673 and OPS+ of 80. His career fWAR is -0.7 and bWAR is -2.5. Cesar Izturis has a higher career OBP (.293), and we have read many an article depicting how offensively challenged Izturis has shown to be throughout his career. You know you’ve read at least one. At least Izturis has a glove.

Betancourt will turn 32 at the end of next January and does have 9 years of MLB service under his belt. I would imagine most would ask how he’s only 32 and/or how he managed 9 years of service time.

And reading the comments to the post and on MLBTR’s Facebook pager are equally amusing.