Betancourt Traded to Kansas City...

...for a pair of minor-league pitchers, 710-ESPN is reporting. More info as we get it. Update: Geoff Baker confirms the deal. The M's get Class AA pitcher Danny Cortes and Class A pitcher Derreick Saito. Cortes, reports 710, is a top-shelf prospect. Wonder if that means the Freddy Sanchez trade rumors will stop swirling. Sure hope not, because with Endy Chavez out for the year, Betancourt was the M's best option to occupy the two-hole and thus put an end to the Russell Branyan experiment. Double Update: The blogbirds in Kansas City already hate the trade, citing stats that reveal Betancourt to be "the second-worst player in baseball this season." Triple Update: Cortes was cited with drunk & disorderly conduct last week outside a bar, which instantly gives Cortes the distinction of being our favorite Mariner minor-leaguer.