The New York Yankees have bolstered their bullpen while trading away a former top prospect as the team acquired relievers David Carpenter and Chasen Shreve from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Manny Banuelos according to Jack Curry of the YES Network.
Just a few years ago the 24-year-old Banuelos was considered the Yankees best prospect and one of the top prospects in all of baseball. After missing most of 2012 and all of 2013 due to Tommy John surgery, however, Banuelos stock fell considerably. Banuelos returned in 2014 pitching across High-A, Double-A and Triple-A while posting a cumulative 4.11 ERA with a 8.3 K/9 rate across 76.2 minor league innings.
In the end, despite still being just 24 years of age and on the mend, the Yankees decided to pull the plug on Banuelos, electing to have two relievers in his place.
Carpenter, 29. gives the Yankees another hard throwing reliever out of the bullpen, with a fastball that routinely reaches the mid to high ’90s. In 65 games for the Braves in 2014, Carpenter pitched 61 innings while posting a 3.54 ERA with 67 strikeouts. The year prior he posted a 1.78 ERA in 65.2 IP. The right-hander bounced around a bit early in his career but seemed to settle in well with the Braves after joining them on a waiver claim before the 2013 season.
Carpenter should be in line to take the spot of the recently departed Shawn Kelley, pitching the 7th inning.
Shreve, 24, gives the Yankees another young and hard throwing young arm in the mix for a bullpen spot for 2015. Having made his major league debut in 2014, Shreve pitched just 12 1/3 innings but did strikeout 15 while posting a 0.73 ERA.
Overall, this trade comes as a surprise as it seemed the Yankees were behind Banuelos, despite his injuries. It could backfire if he manages to find a consistent groove while staying healthy in Atlanta, something that eluded him in the Yankees organization. However, the Yankees did get a favorable return for Banuelos as Carpenter should help solidify the bullpen, while Shreven gives the Yankees another good option.