Yankees acquire prospect Barbato in exchange for Shawn Kelly

According to Twitter and several Yankee blogs, the New York Yankees have sent 30-year old reliever Shawn Kelly to San Diego in exchange for relief prospect Johnny Barbato.

My first thoughts were “who?” and “why?”

When I googled on Johnny Barbato, I found his stats on baseball-reference.com. Last season Barabato pitched at the AA San Antonio Missions (Padres Texas League farm club):

Starting his professional career in 2011, Barbato moved up one leverl every year so far. Last year he posted a 2.87 ERA and kept his opponents to a .226 batting average. Big plus of this player is that he is only 22.

Johnny Barbato with A Advanced Lake Elsinore Storm (California League)

Shawn Kelly’s stats were not overwhelming last year: a 4.53 ERA, winning percentage as a reliever of .333 and he kept his opponents to a .231 batting average.

Another young player added to the organization. Not bad, but we still have to wait how Barbato will pan out.

Nevertheless I think that trading away Kelly will not hurt the Yankees that much.

One major but…. According to a tweet of Jack Curry, Barbato may need Tommy John surgery. So it may take a year at least before he can be called up to the Bronx.

For both teams this move fits in their new strategy: Yankees with their rejuvenation, the Padres acquiring players that are MLB ready.