Orioles acquire pitcher Matt Krook from Yankees
The Orioles acquired 29-year-old lefty Matt Krook for cash from the New York Yankees in a trade Sunday.
Krook, who was designated for assignment Tuesday, had a 24.75 ERA in four appearances last season, his first in the majors. In 27 games last year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, he was 1-1 with a 1.32 ERA.
Baltimore designated utility player Diego Castillo for assignment to clear a spot for Krook on its 40-man roster.
Shortly after the Orioles designated infielder Liván Soto for assignment Friday, the Angels claimed him off waivers. Soto played 22 games for them the previous two seasons.
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Orioles could make trade for another standout pitcher?
The Baltimore Orioles might not be satisfied with just their big deal for Corbin Burnes.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reported in a column on Sunday that the Orioles could potentially swing a trade for Miami Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo. Nightengale notes that Baltimore had extensive talks with Miami on Luzardo over the winter and that they could now circle back again amid the recent health challenges in their rotation. John Means is uncertain for Opening Day, and Kyle Bradish will begin the year on IL (as both starters are nursing elbow issues).
Luzardo, 26, is a power pitcher who has struck out 10.2 batters per nine innings for his career. He went 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA in 178.2 innings last year for the Marlins. Luzardo avoided arbitration this offseason by agreeing on a one-year, $5.5 million contract with Miami for 2024 and has two additional years of club control left.
Baltimore just pulled off a blockbuster trade for the former Cy Young winner Burnes earlier this month. But especially given the uncertainty over Means’ health, they still have very few impact lefties in the rotation (likely only 30-year-old Cole Irvin, who posted a 4.42 ERA last season). Luzardo recently drew trade interest from another team in the AL East, but it seems like Baltimore has extra motivation to try to land him.
