TAMPA — The Yankees didn’t give up on pitcher Matt Krook after he finally got to the big leagues last summer as a 28-year-old and was lit up for 11 runs in four innings over four innings.
Not right away.
The left-hander who changed organizations twice and switched to reliever full-time last season held a 40-man roster spot through almost the entire offseason.
Then last Tuesday, spring training reporting day for Yankees pitchers and catchers, Krook was designated for assignment a roster spot was needed for infielder Jordan Groshans, who’d been claimed off waivers from the Marlins.
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Five days later, the Yankees apparently no longer think Krook will turn into something special because on Sunday they traded him to the Orioles.
And what are the Yanks getting back for dealing a lefty to the club that won their division last year and is favorite to repeat?
Cash considerations.
What happened here is the Yankees decided they like the many bullpen options that they had and added more than Krook.
Krook had a very good 1.32 ERA in 27 relief outings with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season, but his numbers included a big red flag. His 55 strikeouts in 34 innings were impressive, but he walked 26.
For the Yankees, Krook also had command issues, In his four innings, he walked six.
Heading into the offseason, Krook was one of two lefty relievers holding 40-man roster spots along with Nick Ramirez, who made the most of his big-league opportunities last season by pitching to a 2.66 ERA over 32 outings.
Three and a half months later, the Yankees are loaded with lefty reliever options. Free agency Wandy Peralta signed with the Padres after two solid season with the Yankees, but GM Brian Cashman added Victor Gonzalez and Caleb Ferguson in two trades with the Dodgers and Clayton Andrews was acquired in a deal with the Brewers the day after Krook was DFA’d.
Randy Miller may be reached at [email protected].
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