The Yokohama DeNA BayStars have signed right-hander Brooks Kriske. (Hat tip to Sung Min Kim.) When Kriske was released by the Orioles last week, it was reported that he may have been pursuing an opportunity with a foreign club.
It’s quite common for players on the fringes of a 40-man roster to head overseas, as such opportunities can often lead to earning more than they would bouncing between the minors and the big leagues or hitting the waiver wire. A successful showing in Japan can also lead to an MLB contract in the future, as evidenced by the recent signing of Nick Martinez, who spent the past four seasons pitching in Japan but has now agreed to a four-year deal with the Padres. The ongoing lockout could also play a factor, as a player in Kriske’s shoes might prefer the certainty of having a job pinned down for 2022, as opposed to waiting for a new CBA to be signed and then scrambling to find a job in the new year.
Kriske, 27, has spent most of his career with the Yankees thus far, being drafted by them in 2016. He cracked the big leagues in 2020 but only got to throw 3 2/3 innings. He logged another 7 2/3 innings for the Yanks in 2021 before being claimed on waivers by the Orioles in September. His big league ERA is a bloated 14.40 so far, but in a small sample size of just 15 total innings. His minor league numbers are much more appealing, however. In 2021, he threw 29 1/3 Triple-A innings with an ERA of 3.68. Though his walk rate was a bit high at 12.2%, his strikeout rate was an excellent 37.4%.
Kriske walks too many batters. Perhaps time in Japan will help.
Still amazed that Martinez got $20M. His numbers don’t indicate he’s significantly different than when he was last in MLB.
Padres remind me of WCW in the late 90s.
Are they gonna put that big medallion on a pole??
Yankees fans everywhere breathe a sigh of relief the Kriske has found a new employer. Just like they did when “Home Run” Heaney signed with the Dodgers.
You know, some teams have a knack at reclamation pitchers. The Dodgers, Rays and now Giants are doing this. Years past I remember Dave Duncan doing this for Cardinals with guys like Jason Marquis, Jeff Suppan, Joel Pinero and Braden Looper..to name a few. Ray Searage did the same with the Pirates as well, AJ Burnett, Kevin Corria, Francisco Liriano and Edison Volquez.
Now the Yankees, that’s a team where pitchers careers go to die. AJ Burnett, Kenny Rogers, Sonny Gray, Jeff Weaver, Ed Whitson,, Dave Lapointe, Carl Pavano. Add Kei Igawa, Jose Contreras and Hideki Irabu. Then the guys who just got hurt, Jarret Wright, Pascual Perez. I know I’m forgetting a bunch..
Can’t believe they had him instead of Whitlock last year…
@YankeesFan45-Yeah that Wishlock, seems really good! Kriske needs to work on his control. They probably will straighten him out over there.
Hell yeah! Hot stove!
Would you rather ride a minor-league bus for a $25k salary or make hundreds of thousands overseas? Pretty smart move for these guys who haven’t made it by ages 26-27-28.
Japan and Korea are a totally different culture than that of the U.S. I spent years over there in my 20’s studying and training in Martial Arts and being immersed in the culture not only helped me with my craft, it helped me grow up as well. When I came back to the States I was as focused as ever. I think that aspect of playing over there has the potential to change the trajectory of some of these players careers.
Good Riddance Kriske.
Maybe you are thinking of Barry Kripke from Big Bang Theory?
MISSED IT BY THAT [ = ] MUCH !!
According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on Brooks Kriskeright up until he signed the deal to join the Bay Stars.. The Marlins made a “strong” offer, but not one that matched the Bay Stars’ financial commitment. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be outbid.
The Minnesota Twins had also been linked to Kriske.