San Diego makes yet another trade, adding an arm to the bullpen.
The Padres have acquired reliever Shawn Kelley from the Yankees in exchange for minor-league right-hander Johnny Barbato, according to multiple major-league sources. The deal was first reported by Robert Murray of MLBDailyRumors.com.
The addition of Kelley is the latest for a busy Padres' team, but is the first addition to a bullpen that is slated to feature Dale Thayer, Nick Vincent, Alex Torres and Kevin Quackenbush in front of closer Joaquin Benoit next season. Kelley is thought of as a potential late-inning reliever by many scouts, and will head to the National League after spending the first six seasons of his major-league career with the Mariners and Yankees.
In 59 relief appearances last season, Kelley posted a 3-6 record and 4.53 ERA in his second season with the Yankees. He is the owner of a lifetime 17-17 record and 3.94 ERA in 236 relief appearances in the majors, and will become a fre agent after next season.
Barbato, 22, was the Padres' sixth round pick in the 2010 draft and spent last season with Double-A San Antonio. In 27 relief appearances, the righty was 2-2 with a 2.87 ERA, lowering his career minor-league ERA to a 3.79 mark over four seasons. He is not ranked among the Padres' top 20 prospects, according to MLB.com.