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Welcome to the new year, Yankees fans--Brian Cashman isn't wasting any time in 2015, as on the very first day, he has pulled off quite the surprising deal. Lefty starter Manny Banuelos was once considered the crown jewel of the Yankees' farm system, but since undergoing Tommy John surgery after the 2012 season, he just hasn't been the same. The 2014 campaign was his first fully healthy year since the procedure, and he has never truly mastered his control above A-ball anyway.
In return, the Yankees will get righty reliever David Carpenter and young lefty Chasen Shreve, who believe it or not, is not the newest brand of designer clothing hitting the shelves. Since a lot of us at Pinstripe Alley have been following ManBan for quite awhile, we might suffer from familiarity bias, so sometimes, the best reactions are found throughout the Twittersphere, where other well-regarded names in the media chimed in their thoughts on the trade. How did they react?
Yeah, I think this is an adequate trade for Atlanta and New York. An interesting reliever isn't super exciting on a rebuilding team.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) January 1, 2015
The deal does seem to benefit both teams. The Braves get to take a chance on a pitcher who still has the potential to be high-impact, and all it cost them was a couple relievers. Meanwhile, the Yankees, who have had their eyes on ManBan more than anyone else in baseball, still get a decent return before Banuelos potentially flames out for good. It's certainly a gamble for both.
Manny Banuelos timeline: pic.twitter.com/Wh2pu6Ck33
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 1, 2015
Surviving the minors and Tommy John, man. It's not easy.
A few springs ago, Banuelos was as hyped as any P in camp.But he got hurt, couldn't throw consistent strikes so NY moved him for 2 relievers
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 1, 2015
Sigh.
Banuelos lost the velocity but still had quality outings without it. Is still polished for 23-year old. Plus, he's a lefty...
— Matt Kardos ⚾ (@mattkardos) January 1, 2015
At the same time, giving up Banuelos definitely carries some risk. We're certainly hoping he finds his promise in Atlanta.
The Killer B's era for the Yankees: Andrea Brackman: retired Manny Banuelos: traded for crap Dellin Betances: bullpen god
— Joseph Flynn (@ChinaJoeFlynn) January 1, 2015
Well, Carpenter and Shreve are a little better than that, but yeah, a three-reliever return out of the combination of the Killer B's is not exactly what the Yankees hoped for a few years ago. That's why they say prospects will break your heart.
#Yankees have bit of secret weapon: Heard McCann gave strong endorsement to Carpenter, who he caught a lot with #Braves
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 1, 2015
Carpenter hits 99mph, pitches at 95-96, strong cutter/slider. Was 8th-innning rlvr for ’13 #Braves 96W, McCann main catcher. #yankees
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 1, 2015
Interesting... very interesting. Few catchers in baseball likely know Carpenter as well as Brian McCann, and Carpenter had an excellent season with McCann behind the dish for the Braves in 2013 (1.78 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 10.1 K/9 in about 66 innings). Criticize McCann's bat all you want, but few deny his prowess as a catcher.
Banuelos is the big name in the Yanks-Braves trade, but his stock has faded since 2012. Like Yanks getting Carpenter and Shreve back.
— D.J. Short (@djshort) January 1, 2015
I'm surprised #Braves would give up Shreve, who impressed in limited duty as rookie, and Carpenter, who's only 1st-time arb guy not big sal
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienAJC) January 1, 2015
Here's a take from one of the Braves' beat writers, who undoubtedly knows Carpenter and Shreve much better than anyone around here. If O'Brien liked what he saw from them, then that certainly bodes well for the Yankees' bullpen. Furthermore, Short is a national writer for Rotoworld and NBC's Hardball Talk; another neutral take with a positive review of the trade for the Yankees.
After Kelley to SD, Kelley told @DanBarbarisi Cashman said he had other moves in the works. Must have been referring to this deal w/ Braves.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) January 1, 2015
Good point by Curry, who is about as close to the Yankees as any writer, so he would know.
Come on, you can't trade Banuelos during the Rose Bowl!
— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) January 1, 2015
The Yankees are rude like that, Josh. Alas.
#Yankees think have deepest stockpile of LH rlvrs long time: Miller/Wilson/Shreve plus high minors: Lindgren/Pazos/Webb
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 1, 2015
Chasen Shreve went from 6.2/4.3 K/BB per 9 in 2013 to 12.2/1.7 K/BB per 9 in 2014 (in the minors). That's quite the improvement.
— Adam J. Morris (@lonestarball) January 1, 2015
I think the #Braves accidentally used a four-year-old scouting report on Banuelos. Don't get the move... Shreve alone almost has more value
— Marc Hulet (@marchulet) January 2, 2015
More on the lefty Shreve. Me likey.
there is no way Chasen Shreve didn't play lacrosse at some point
— Cespedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 1, 2015
Chasen Shreve probably knows all the best places to party in Vegas.
— Long Time Listener (@ltl27) January 1, 2015
Also valid. There's no way that Shreve wasn't a pledgemaster.