Morning Marquee: Yankees bolster bullpen in deal with Braves

The New York Yankees continue to reshape their bullpen, making a New Years Day trade with the Atlanta Braves for RHP David Carpenter and LHP Chasen Shreve. In return the Branes receive Manny Banuelos, once regarded as one of the Yankees brightest prospects. Carpenter went 6-4 with a 3.54 ERA in 64 appearances last season for the Braves.

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He could replace Shawn Kelly, who was traded to the Padres on Monday for Johnny Barbato. Shreve saw his first big league time last year in July, logging a 0.73 ERA in 15 appearances. He’ll be in a battle with several other lefties to secure a roster spot in the spring. Banuelos looked to be one of the Yankees top prospects, until Tommy John derailed his progression, missing the entire 2013 season. Last year he went 2-3 with a 4.11 ERA in 26 appearances among three different levels.

It appeared the San Diego Padres made a hard push to sign Hiroki Kuroda before he made the decision to return to Japan. Rumors had swirled that he had been offered in the neighborhood of $18 million, but a team source said the offer wasn’t quite that high. The move would have been another huge signing for the Padres if they would have pulled it off.

Here’s what else happened on the first day of the New Year:

‘Braves trade Carpenter and Shreve to Yankees’ – Tomahawk Take

‘Padres made big push to sign Kuroda’ – Call to the Pen

‘A quick review of the Chicago Cubs off-season’ – Cubbies Crib

‘The curious case of Manny Banuelos’ – Grading on the Curve

Next: A quick review of the Cubs off-season so far