Are the Orioles Done Building Their Bullpen? Not So Fast.
While the Orioles’ offseason buzz has largely centered around the rotation - and for good reason - there’s another part of the pitching staff that deserves a closer look: the bullpen. With a team eyeing another deep postseason run, the question has to be asked - is Baltimore truly set in the ‘pen?
So far, GM Mike Elias has made a couple of notable moves to shore things up. He reacquired Andrew Kittredge in early November, then followed that by signing Ryan Helsley on December 1 to take over closing duties.
Those are meaningful additions. Helsley brings late-inning firepower, and Kittredge, when healthy, has shown he can be a reliable high-leverage arm.
But even with those two in the fold, there’s a sense that this group could use one more veteran to round things out.
Right now, the Orioles’ bullpen depth is more promising than proven. Beyond Helsley and Kittredge, only Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano have logged consistent big-league experience.
Akin has been up and down in his role, while Cano was a revelation in stretches last season - but both still carry some volatility. The rest of the bullpen picture includes names like Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia, Kade Strowd, and Grant Wolfram.
They all showed flashes last year, but not enough to be penciled into high-leverage roles come spring.
That’s where the concern lies. For a team with October aspirations, relying on unproven arms in key situations can be a risky proposition.
Meanwhile, the market for veteran relievers is thinning fast. Just in the last day, we’ve seen Chris Martin and Alexis Díaz sign with the Rangers, Jordan Romano and Drew Pomeranz head to the Angels, Hoby Milner join the Cubs, and Caleb Ferguson land with the Reds.
None of these are flashy, game-changing signings. But they’re the kind of additions that bring stability - guys who’ve been through the grind and can give you competitive innings without the guesswork.
Now, let’s be clear: it’s still only mid-December. There’s time to make moves.
Elias has a track record of uncovering bullpen gems off the waiver wire and through low-cost trades. And if the Orioles do end up swinging a deal for a starting pitcher - something that still feels very much in play - there’s a good chance a bullpen arm could come back in that package.
Teams trading away rotation talent often have veteran relievers they’re willing to include.
That said, building a bullpen is always a bit of a balancing act. Relievers are notoriously volatile - even the best can go from dominant to ineffective in a matter of months.
Outside of the elite closers, consistency is hard to come by. That’s why it’s smart to build in contingency plans, especially affordable ones, if you’ve got the roster space to make it work.
Around the Yard: Orioles Notes and Nuggets
- One week after the Orioles made their splash with Pete Alonso, the good vibes are still rolling. Alonso brings more than just big-time power - though he brings plenty of that, too. His presence in the lineup changes the shape of the offense and gives Baltimore a true middle-of-the-order threat.
- Trey Mancini, who faced Alonso in the 2021 Home Run Derby, had some thoughts on the new Oriole. Always great to hear from Mancini, a fan favorite and one of the most respected voices in the game.
- Bobby Bonilla chimed in on the Alonso move as well, saying the Mets are going to miss him and Baltimore is going to love him. Bonilla, who played for both franchises, knows what a player like Alonso can mean to a clubhouse and a city.
- Over on the free-agent market, some of the top tools are still out there. One name not getting enough love?
Ryan O’Hearn. He may not have the ceiling of a Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, but he quietly put together a strong season with a disciplined approach at the plate.
He’s the kind of bat that could make a sneaky impact for the right team.
O’s Birthdays - A Look Back
- Fernando Abad turns 40 today. The veteran lefty pitched for eight different teams during his 11-year MLB career, including a brief 16-game stint with the Orioles in 2021.
- Stu Pomeranz hits 41. His entire big-league career - three appearances - came with the 2012 Orioles.
- Álex Cintrón is 47. He was an infield option for Baltimore back in 2008.
- Jerry Adair, born in 1936, passed away in 1987. He was a glove-first infielder who spent nine seasons with the Orioles from 1958 to 1966, racking up 6.6 bWAR during his time in Baltimore.
- Cal Ripken Sr., born on this day in 1935, is remembered as one of the most influential figures in Orioles history. Though he never played in the majors, he spent 36 years in the organization - as a player, coach, and eventually the manager.
He helped shape “The Oriole Way,” a player development philosophy that laid the foundation for the team’s golden era. And of course, he raised two big leaguers of his own: Cal Jr. and Bill.
This Day in Sports History
While there’s no major Orioles moment tied to December 17 (at least not yet), a couple of notable events from the wider sports world:
- In 1933, the very first NFL Championship Game was played at Wrigley Field between the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears.
- And in 1939, Otto Hahn discovered nuclear fission - a breakthrough that would eventually change the world, on and off the field.
Bottom Line: The Orioles have done some solid bullpen work already this offseason, but don’t be surprised if there’s another move or two coming. With a roster built to contend, adding one more steady arm to the mix could make all the difference when the games start to matter most.