Betancourt traded

MLB.com has reported that Rafael Betancourt has been traded to the Rockies for Connor Graham, a minor leauge pitcher who will play in Akron. Betancourt has been with the Tribe since 2003 having a breakout year in 2007 with the division champs. In 68 games he posted a 1.47 ERA with 80 k in 79.1 IP. However last year he didn't do so hot. In 69 games he posted a 5.07 ERA in 71 IP with only 64 k's. He also had an opponent's average of .276 the highest in his career. This year he battled injuries only pitching in 29 games to this point. There is no doubt that he would have stayed with the Tribe if he could have been the same dominant reliever like he was in 2007. Sadly, he couldn't recreate those numbers, either could the rest of the team. Although he will be missed, change is needed in the struggling bullpen and this is the first of many steps.