The Orioles acquired left-hander Matt Krook from the Yankees today in exchange for cash considerations, according to an announcement from both clubs. Baltimore designated infielder Diego Castillo for assignment in order to make room for Krook on the club’s 40-man roster.
Krook, 29, had been designated for assignment by the Yankees earlier this week in order to make room for infielder Jordan Groshans on the club’s 40-man roster. Krook made his big league debut last year and struggled badly in four innings of work, walking six batters and allowing 11 runs during his brief cameo in the majors. Brutal as that start to Krook’s big league career was, the southpaw was dominant at the Triple-A level for the Yankees last year, pitching to a 1.32 ERA in 27 appearances while striking out a whopping 39% of batters faced.
The 2023 campaign was Krook’s first as a reliever. He had worked primarily out of the rotation in previous seasons and garnered solid results in previous years, including a 3.76 ERA in 215 1/3 innings of work at the Triple-A level from 2021-22. Unfortunately, he also walked a hefty 13% of batters faced over that same time frame, likely prompting his move to the bullpen last season. While Krook has evidently struggled with control throughout his career, there’s no question that the southpaw sports power stuff capable of succeeding in the majors if he can command it successfully.
Krook figures to join the bullpen mix in Baltimore, where Danny Coulombe, Cionel Perez, and Keegan Akin are the club’s southpaws projected to make the Opening Day bullpen as things stand. That leaves Krook likely to join the likes of right-hander Bryan Baker and lefty Nick Vespi as optionable relief depth, though they also figure to receive competition from non-roster invitees this spring such as Andrew Suarez and Nathan Webb.
As for Castillo, the infielder’s time on Baltimore’s 40-man roster comes to an end just two days after he was initially claimed off waivers from the Phillies. The 26-year-old has spent the past two months riding the transactional carousel, having been part of the Diamondbacks, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, and Orioles organizations at various points during that time. Castillo has notched 97 games at the big league level throughout his career and in that time has slashed just .205/.250/.380 across 284 trips to the plate. Despite that weak offensive performance to this point in his career, Castillo has performed well in the minors, with a strong .296/.410/.407 line across three seasons at the Triple-A level.
That sort of on-base and contact ability would make him an attractive bench piece for any club if he can translate it into big league production, particularly given his defensive versatility. Castillo has primarily played second base and shortstop throughout his career, though he’s also seen time at first, third, and both outfield corners. Now that he’s been designated for assignment once again, the Orioles will have seven days to either work out a trade or attempt to pass him through waivers. Castillo has not yet been outrighted in his career and, if passed through waivers successfully, can be retained in the minors as non-roster depth entering the 2024 season.
What a steal!
Highway robbery…
A Krook’ed deal indeed…
As soon as I saw the title, I expected the puns.
Before O’s fans begin gratifying each other left and right, let’s put some perspective on Krook. He’s on the cusp of being 30 and this will be the 4th organization that he has been with. Obviously, the Yanks aren’t the first to be underwhelmed. His walks over 9 innings look like some pitchers” strikeouts over 9 innings. I do agree that it’s a bit strange to trade with a division rival but it’s certainly not the first time. The Yanks and Red Sox just a made a trade within the past year or so.
I mean, the comments above were all meant as jokes based on his name.
In the past year or so? It was only a couple months ago and it was a far more substantial trade for Verdugo than this is.
Should’ve just passed him through waivers rather than send him to a division rival.
A trade would indicate that he wasn’t going to pass waivers and BAL made an offer before their claim was trumped.
Maybe but cash considerations aren’t enough to attempt to pass him through in the hopes he gets picked up by a team like the Rockies.
Why are the Yankees making a rival better??? Asinine. A team you will be fighting head to head all summer and you’re giving them baseball players. Cashman is utterly twisting in the wind.
That is definitely an ignorant comment.
@Buzz You’re right, it was faux-outrage but in general terms I am usually not a fan of giving players to rivals. But caveats do apply.
This guy couldn’t find the strikezone if you drew him a map.
given that Krook is about the last guy out of the bullpen, the risk does not seem to be great.
he will have to improve, which should not be insurmountable, merely to get to replacement level
They were going to lose him anyways. I wouldn’t say Krook makes BAL “better” to any substantial degree.
Not yet anyway.
Our pitching development is very good though, so this could definitely haunt the Yankees down the line.
Considering his wildness, and how there might be nights he’s trying to find his control in real ballgames, you could argue the Yankees are helping their own cause and making the Os lose a game or two? Ha
The Yankees build bullpens and know relievers better than almost all teams but a few. The Orioles need a few more years of success before we can anoint them as having a clear organizational skill in this area.
Not that this is a huge loss, but trading away yet another depth pitcher to retain a DFAd IFer is somewhat perplexing.
IDK Clipper I’ve heard good things about that Cash Considerations guy.
He certainly is very popular these days!
And I expect the Yankees to now reclaim Castillo.
And the merry-go-round… goes round again.
The MLBPA really needs to make DFA’s a topic for the next CBA. These fringe guys, like Castillo, can get ping-ponged around 5-6 times over a few weeks. There was one pitcher who literally went back and forth between two teams FIVE times during one winter. There should be a limit on how many times a player can be DFA’ed over a certain period of time. Either you want him or you don’t.
Not really. You want him until someone more to your liking comes along.
Why? Players don’t actually have to report anywhere until ST. Wouldn’t a player prefer to be waived and claimed 6 times than to not be on a 40 man roster? Or, in some cases, a 26 man roster if you are out of options?
maybe after 2x claims, the next team has to guaranty and pay for housing equal or better than to what they are currently living in w their family.
Why would you want to reduce the opportunity to be claimed?
Maybe after 7 claims they can give him a coupon to TGI Fridays for a free appetizer.
@Winfield,
They just agreed to cut the number of minor league affiliated teams in exchange for higher minor league pay, as it’s really pitiful, what some minor leaguers make.
I can’t see that a little assurity that they don’t have to run around and find housing for themselves and their family at the last minute is going to be producing the opportunity to be claimed. may also allow them a bit better chance to succeed as that stressor would be taken care of as they’re getting ready for the fiels. honestly it’s just humane. plus, if DFA’d again and picked up, the new team would again guaranty housing and the original team would no longer be bound to the expense. no significant barrier but it does make a difference in a player’s life.
Realistically Mac,
What about all the guys who ride the AAA/MLB shuttle? Going from Norfolk to Baltimore at the teams whim isn’t exactly easy. Guys really only get claimed like this during the off-season and they’re given team provided housing in spring training.
Teams dont even pay for homes for top players like ohtani so why would they pay for someone that might only be on the team for a week or two for injuries.
Also what happens if the 3rd team cuts him and a 4th team picks them up? Do they get a bigger and better house? Shoot by the end of the season they might have a mansion in bel air next to the fresh prince.
Sooo what your saying is you want to uproot the kids every couple of weeks, keep re-registering them for school. never have any real roots, keep unpacking and repacking … go through lawyers and real estate agents to sign and do title searches etc etc all while trying to play and concentrate on baseball. That also doesnt include the lawyer fees and realtor fees and such and depending on state “exit” tax which the player not the team would be liable for. Probably cost the designated player more than he made in the end.
sounds like this might be more stressful. How about they keep their own house and the player figures out a way to get home on his own. Shoot look at Clayton Kershaw he has been a dodger for what 17+ seasons and his home is in texas.
What if the 3rd team just doesnt claim him and he doesnt get signed because they dont want that extra expense because we know how gracious owners can be when it comes to spending dollars.
Best comment on this thread.
@Mac, all that would do is reduce the chances that players would be claimed. Besides, as long as they are claimed they maintain the benefits that they have. When they are not claimed then they are on their own if not offered an assignment.
@Roll
You’re right, Roll. Screw’em and their families too. I understand that you’re jealous of the fact that they get to ride buses to minor league God forsaken towns and get paid crap so they can play a child’s game and have “fans” describe them in MLBTradeRumors comments section as “crap” or “worthless”.
Screw them all, let’s not treat them like human beings Let’s treat them like what they are, play toys for entitled “fans”.
I was simply engaging in some discussion from a comment from @zoinkscoob91 2. But you’re right, they’re “trash”.
@MacGromit
a discussion is a two way street not just what you say goes. I gave you counterpoints of why its not valid.
You still didnt respond to the stress of the family constantly having to move which even if everything is paid for they have to deal with the things i mentioned above. I would think that would be more stress on the player. Rarely does the family move unless they have a guaranteed multi year contract and keep their house there and settling in. Especially considering the player will be constantly traveling. Do you think Lucas Giolito moved his family multiple times since he moved from chicago to anaheim (trade) to cleveland (claimed) to boston (free agent) in less than a year?
But It sounds like you want to entitled these players and say other minor league and major league players and their families are trash and screw them and they are worthless and not human beings since they arent deserving of this perk. Outside of presidents and governors, i dont know of anyone getting a free house for their families from their job and its only when they have their job. So do these players and their families become homeless if they are cut from the team?
Players knew this was a possibility and likely to happen when they signed their contract similar to a cop knowing when they sign up that there is a likely hood to being shot.. extreme example but is true they know what they getting into.
You know that baseball players are people, don’t you, Zoinks? It might be nice for a player to know where they’re going to be for the next season. It affects where you live, your family arrangements, and more.
I don’t know what the solution is, because there’s certainly value to be allowed to be reclaimed rather than cut entirely, but I nevertheless agree that the ping-ponging needs to end.
Agreed, didn’t the Yanks DFA and reclaim DFA reclaim Ryan Weber like 10 times last year ♂️
The Orioles twice selected Lewin Diaz off of waivers last offseason.
This dude’s minor league numbers are insane – good risk for the Os to take here.
Seriously, what an odd move from the Yankees perspective.
Definitely not complaining though!
DFA a solid lefty and then trade them to your division rival. How stupid can you be?
Power stuff is an odd term for a guy who throws sub 90 mph fastballs.
maybe they were referring to the 39% strikeout rate.
He’s a sinker ball pitcher.
Right. But “power stuff”
Idk about that adjective. Britton could’ve been known to have “power stuff” but idk about the guy throwing an 88 mph sinker.
Hope he’s really good here. Not my word choice though.
Uh, thanks Yanks…?
Not exactly sure why you’d give up on a dude with such gaudy AAA numbers after only 4 MLB innings, but we’ll happily take him off your hands!
Solid lottery ticket. 1.32 ERA in AAA. Maybe he figures it out in the big leagues this year maybe he doesn’t. Either way it’s a good risk.
100%, I would not have done this move with a division rival if I was running the Yankees (who obviously don’t need the cash) but I am very glad that they did. Really interesting arm for us to tinker with.
Cashman seems lost at times
The over under on how long in days before Castillo was dfa’d by the orioles was 2.5. I had the over. Lost my shirt
Time to write that country song…
I took the over and lost
More than my shirt,
I feel like I’ve been DFA’d-
I’m lower than dirt.
Refrain
Chorus 2x
Outro
Statistically this to me seems to be a steal and exactly the type of trades the orioles need to be making at this point. Cheap arms to add depth. And the last player we got straight from the Yanks really panned out nicely.
by hook or by krook…
Castillo hasn’t even returned his Uhaul yet ♂️
At least one of his contracts was through the weekend!
nothing more then minor league dept!!!
Lets see if the yanks made another botched assessment of one of their pitchers like they did with Whitlock
By hook or by Krook.
Every broadcaster , when the manager comes out to the mound to take him out, at least once I’m sure couldn’t resist using the ole “ krook gettin the hook’ line
BALtraderumors.com
The Orioles appear to be
At this point, I wonder if Diego Castillo has even left home in Venezuela? He’s probably just sitting on the couch with his bags packed and spends endless hours on the phone talking to his travel agent. He should just sit tight and wait for ST games to start and, by then, maybe a team will have a definite need for him!