CHICAGO -- The contending Atlanta Braves bolstered their bench and bullpen on Thursday, acquiring utilityman Emilio Bonifacio and left-hander James Russell in a trade with the Chicago Cubs. James Harrison Jersey . The Braves also got cash back from the Cubs in exchange for catching prospect Victor Caratini. Bonifacio and Russell did not play in the Cubs 3-1 win over Colorado on Thursday afternoon. "These are two pieces that we really like," Atlanta GM Frank Wren said on a conference call. "In Bonifacio, we got a really versatile bench player who can do a lot of things well. In Russells case, its another veteran bullpen arm." Russell was in the home bullpen at Wrigley Field when the trade was made. He hugged several of his teammates and coaches -- and slapped hands with a few fans -- as he exited while the game was going on. "Its kind of hard to wrap your head around it," Russell said. "Its obviously a shock. I knew things were gonna happen. Theres really nothing you can do to prepare yourself for this. Its still kind of weird. I dont know how to feel. Theres a lot of excitement, a lot of mixed emotions." The 29-year-old Bonifacio hit .279 with 14 steals in 69 games for the Cubs this season. He previously played for Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez when they were both with the Marlins. "Hes a guy who gives you a lot of versatility. You can play him anywhere on the field," Gonzalez said in Los Angeles. "You can bring him off the bench or start him if the matchup is right. Hes a nice National League player." The 28-year-old Russell is 0-2 with one save and a 3.51 ERA in 44 games. "Hes not your traditional left-handed reliever," Gonzalez said. "You can let him run through some right-handers. Hes durable." Atlanta is in the chase for the NL East title, and the Cubs are last in the NL Central. The 20-year-old Caratini was selected by the Braves in the second round of the 2013 draft. He hit .279 with five homers and 42 RBIs in 87 games with Class A Rome this season. "Hes a guy we liked in the draft a lot," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer. "Weve said it all along, catching is a weakness in our system and we dont have enough of it." LaAdrian Waddle Jersey . The stakes were higher, the competition more fierce and the atmosphere was that of a playoff game - something the young, upstart Raptors have five weeks to better prepare themselves for or the result will be eerily similar. Eric Rowe Jersey . Hamilton signed offensive linemen Mike Filer, Joel Reinders, Landon Rice and Carson Rockhill. http://www.patriotsauthenticshop.com/Patriots-Adrian-Clayborn-Draft-Jersey/ . CEO Steve Koonin on Tuesday told the Hawks flagship radio station that he made the decision to discipline Ferry but allowed him to keep his job managing the team. He did not say what the punishment was, but noted that he relied on a law firms three-month investigation of Ferry and him describing Deng as someone who has a little African in him.PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Sidney Crosby has spent months politely rehashing the Pittsburgh Penguins nightmarish spring, a stretch that included a meltdown against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals and a sizable front office overhaul that shook one of the NHLs most stable organizations.The leagues reigning MVP is happy to turn the page.Im tired of talking about last year, Crosby said. Its nice to move on, get a fresh start here for everybody. Weve got a lot of new faces, we still have a lot to improve on and get better.The Penguins should get an idea of how far they have to go starting Thursday when they host Anaheim in the season opener. Pittsburgh has been one of the leagues best teams out of the gate over the last five years, going 44-24 during the opening month since 2009.Matching that October success may be difficult this time around. A schedule that includes games against the Ducks and defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles wont help. Neither will expected the growing pains associated with trying to adjust to first-year coach Mike Johnstons style.General manager Jim Rutherford stressed during the off-season hed be OK with sacrificing a point or two in the fall if it led to success in the playoffs for a franchise more than five years removed from its last championship.While Crosby cautioned its important not to get lulled into the idea that losing will be tolerated, he said there will be missteps along the way as the Penguins try to forge a new identity under Johnston following five-plus seasons in coach Dan Bylsmas high-risk, high-reward attack.If guys have the right work ethic and our focus is there and we do everything to help ourselves and have mistakes that are mistakes just because its early and guys are getting a feel for each other, I think thats a little more acceptable than it would be in a typical year, he said. That being said, I think you can tell pretty quickly why you make those mistakes and if its a lack of effort or not being sharp. Thats totally different.And while Pittsburgh forward Pascaal Dupuis likened learning Johnstons system a€” one that focuses on puck possession rather than the dazzling if dangerous stretch passes favoured by Bylsma a€” to picking up new slang. Drew Bledsoe Jersey. The goal remains the same regardless of who is behind the bench.Every team tries to accomplish the same thing, Crosby said. You try to hold onto the puck. You try to play fast. You try to put pressure on the other team. I dont think that ever changes.Neither does Pittsburghs reliance on its two superstars. Crosby insists hes healthy after dealing with an aching wrist that limited his effectiveness in the playoffs while Evgeni Malkin is expected to play in the opener after missing most of training camp with an undisclosed injury.And while Dupuis, Chris Kunitz, Kris Letang and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury are back too, the rest of the roster looks decidedly different. Its Johnstons job to figure out how best to use newcomers like forwards Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling and Blake Comeau. And its the Penguins job to figure out how Johnston works after spending more than half a decade listening to the professional and occasionally excitable Bylsma.I think hes pretty calm, Crosby said. I dont think thats going to change no matter what the score is. Thats his demeanour, thats his way. Id be pretty shocked if you heard his voice all that much.Johnston would prefer his teams play to do most of the talking. Hes been put in an enviable if difficult task of coaxing a roster stuffed with talent a€” particularly at the top a€” toward taking the step thats eluded them since Crosby lifted the Cup in triumph in 2009.He has a six-month regular season to hone the process, though he has no intention of being patient. He was hired to win in April, May and June. Though he will spend all year preaching about the habits and details in our game we know we desperately need come playoff time he has no plans of lowering expectations for October.As far as results go and how were going to play, he said, I expect us to be very sharp right off the hop. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '