Orioles trade for pitcher Matt Krook in latest 40-man addition

With Spring Training underway, the Orioles have made a flurry of moves to bring in fresh faces for some roster competition. The latest move came on Sunday afternoon, with the Orioles acquiring left-handed pitcher Matt Krook from the New York Yankees in exchange for cash considerations.

The 40-man roster was filled at 40, so to clear a 40-man spot for Krook, the team chose to designate Diego Castillo for assignment just two days after claiming him off waivers. The 40-man roster stays at 40 with the two transactions.

Orioles acquire Matt Krook as the 40-man roster shuffle continues

2024 will be Krook's age 29 season. The lefty made his major league debut last year for the Yankees, pitching in four games. They didn't go all too well, as he allowed 11 runs over four innings, giving him a ghastly 24.75 ERA and 3.50 WHIP as he issued six walks and allowed eight hits.

After spending his entire professional career as a starter, the Yankees converted Krook to a reliever in 2023 and the move succeeded for him in Triple A. Over 27 games with the Yankees Triple A team, Krook had a 1.52 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 34 innings, striking out 55 hitters with no home runs allowed.

Krook has two years of minor league options remaining, which the Orioles are likely to utilize if they decide to keep him on the 40-man roster. Krook has always put together strikeouts in the minor leagues, but the challenge will be helping him piece it together at the major league level.

The Orioles decided it was worth taking a flier on the lefty to help him figure it out, as he's always done a good job of keeping the ball in the park as well. Walks have been an issue for Krook in his career, but the Orioles are betting that they can help him harness his weaknesses and try to turn them into strengths.

Whether the Orioles decide to keep working out Krook as a reliever or try to shift him back to a starter is unclear at this point, but either way it's a solid depth option for a team like the Orioles to have. With the recent injuries on the pitching front, it's always good to stockpile pitching depth.

It was also announced on Sunday that infielder Livan Soto, who the Orioles claimed from the Los Angeles Angels on waivers on February 8, was claimed on waivers by those same Angels, ending his brief time in the Orioles organization. Soto was DFA'd as the corresponding move when the Orioles put in the waiver claim for Diego Castillo.