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Yankees News: David Carpenter Excited to Join the New York Yankees

By Michael Cambria|

At first glance, the New York Yankees new relief-pitcher, David Carpenter may not look like your typical Yankees star. The 29-year old right-hander, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves on January 1st, is coming off a fairly decent season, one in which he recorded a 3.54 ERA and a 1.262 WHIP in 61.0 innings pitched out of the Braves bullpen.

But, the Yankees really like him, so much so, that they shipped out their former prized prospect turned reclamation project Manny Banuelos, in exchange for his services. Their plan for his Yankees debut appears to be as a sixth and seventh-inning bridge guy between their starting pitchers and the set-up man/closer tandem in Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, and needless to say, Carpenter is more than excited to join the Yankees bullpen. 

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According to MLB.com reporter Bryan Hoch, David Carpenter said that he has spoken to Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman, manager Joe Girardi and pitching coach Larry Rothschild about what to expect come spring training, and he’s eager to see what his assignment will be. Looking over the make-up of the current Yankees pitching staff, Carpenter believes that the bullpen will be a difference-maker.

"“I think it can be really, really strong,” Carpenter said. “There have been multiple people talking about it throughout baseball, the potential that our bullpen has. It can be one of the best in the Major Leagues. I’m really excited to get down there to Tampa, just get started and see where we end up.”"

It’s no secret that the Yankees will need to rely heavily on their new and improved bullpen in order to contend in 2015, as there’s only a handful of starting-pitchers currently on their roster that can be relied on to perform to their full potential and pitch late into ball games. But, Carpenter has embraced the challenge and is confident he’ll be able to do just that when he puts on his pinstripe uniform in a few short weeks.

After all, Carpenter’s baseball career seemed to take off once he was paired with Brian McCann in Atlanta, and the right-hander can’t wait to re-unite with his former catcher in the Bronx.

"“B-Mac [McCann] is the kind of guy that you love going to battle with,” Carpenter said. “He’s a team guy, he busts his butt out there, he’s everything you could ask for in a leader, especially a catcher. To be reunited with him, it’s going to be really, really special. The kind of words he shared with the front office, wanting to pull the trigger on trying to get me, it really boosts your confidence, that’s for sure.”"

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