Orioles Sign Former All-Star; His 3rd Team This Season

He was linked to the New York Yankees over the weekend as a free agent, and he's already spent time this season with the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. Now the Baltimore Orioles are taking a shot on trying to rejuvenate former All-Star Garrett Cooper.

First Baseman Garrett Cooper is signing a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles per sources. Cubs, Red Sox and Orioles for Cooper in 3 months this season. Marlins and Padres last season. Wild ride.
— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) June 24, 2024

The Orioles have signed Cooper to a minor league contract, and they become his fifth team since the beginning of the 2023 season.

He was an All-Star with the Miami Marlins in 2022 and in 2023 got off to another great start with the Fish, belting 13 homers with 46 RBIs in the first half. But ever since he was dealt to the San Diego Padres midseason, his tendency to strike out soared.

The Cubs released Cooper earlier this season even though he was hitting .270 with a 117 OPS+. It was his 13 Ks against just four walks in 12 games that convinced them to move on. Things got worse with the Cubs, where he batted .171 and whiffed an alarming 22 times in 24 games against just three walks.

The 33-year-old sports a solid .265/.333/.427 slashline for his career with a better than average OPS+ of 105. However, finding playing time as a first and third baseman with the Orioles could be difficult.

Jordan Westburg has held down 3B on most nights and is having a tremendous first full year in the big leagues with 13 bombs and a 142 OPS+, while Ryan Mountcastle is having a nice year himself at 1B, with a .277 average and a 129 OPS+.

We'll see if Cooper is able to work his way up to Baltimore.