Ryan

Cook

Cook failed to carve out a spot on the Opening Day roster after agreeing to a minor league contract with Miami back in January. The 33-year-old right-hander has made just 19 appearances at the major league level since 2015. He is now a free agent and may struggle to latch on with a new team this summer.

Cook will be paid a $750,000 salary if makes the major league roster in Miami, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. There is also another $250,000 available in performance-based incentives. The 32-year-old right-hander pitched in Japan in 2019 after an ugly showing in 2018 with the Mariners. He was once a reliable late-inning reliever for the Athletics.

The 31-year-old hurler regained his impressive strikeout rate (12.2 K/9) in 17 innings with the Mariners in 2018, but an inflated home run rate led to a less than impressive ERA. He’ll look to get his career back on track overseas before possibly returning to the big leagues in 2020.

Cook posted a 5.29 ERA in 17 innings this past season out of the Mariners’ bullpen. He was once a promising young reliever with the A’s, but the 31-year-old right-hander had his career derailed by elbow troubles.

He has also fanned 16 batters and is sporting a 0.66 WHIP. Cook is probably next in line for saves should veteran lefty Brian Fuentes struggle in his new role.

Grant Balfour has struggled in recent weeks and Fuentes was able to pick up his second save of the season Saturday against Detroit. The veteran left-hander doesn’t have the best raw stuff and has surrendered a run in each of his save chances this year, but he’s certainly worth grabbing in fantasy leagues. Ryan Cook is now probably next in line.

Oakland will receive Cook, Jarrod Parker and Collin Cowgill in exchange for Cahill and Craig Breslow. Cook, 24, had an ugly 7.04 ERA in 12 appearances with Arizona this season, but profiles as a pretty nice relief prospect. Still, we figured Oakland would aim higher with the third piece, perhaps asking for either left-hander David Holmberg or left-hander Patrick Corbin. They obviously did well to get Parker and Cowgill should start in their outfield right away, but this is a disappointing return.

Cook had a successful transition to the bullpen this past season in the minors, posting a 2.21 ERA and 62/22 K/BB ratio over 61 innings between Double-A Mobile and Triple-A Reno. The 24-year-old right-hander wasn’t nearly as effective in his first taste of the big leagues, posting an ugly 7.04 ERA over 12 appearances, but Oakland obviously sees something here. He’ll likely compete for a bullpen job during spring training.

Cook has had a terrific year, but he certainly didn’t deserve to go ahead of starters like Yu Darvish and Jake Peavy, who will have a shot to get in via the Final Vote. Also on the AL squad alongside Cook will be Matt Harrison, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, CC Sabathia, C.J. Wilson, Jered Weaver, Chris Sale, David Price, Joe Nathan, Jim Johnson, Chris Perez and Fernando Rodney.

Brian Fuentes, Ryan Cook and Grant Balfour will split the opportunities. Cook seems like the best guy to own in fantasy leagues because of his success this season, but all three are worth rostering in deeper formats.