With spring training just a month away, the Orioles’ offseason work isn’t quite finished yet. They’ve made some meaningful moves-most notably adding Ryan Helsley to close games and bringing back Andrew Kittredge to help set them up-but the bullpen still feels a few arms short of being postseason-ready. Outside of veteran lefty Keegan Akin, the relief corps is stacked with question marks: Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia, and Kade Strowd are all intriguing, but none have proven themselves at the big-league level.
And while the top-tier free-agent relievers have mostly been scooped up, there are still a few veterans on the market who could make sense for Baltimore-guys with upside, experience, and in some cases, a little unfinished business with the Orioles. Let’s break down four names still out there who could give this bullpen a boost.
LHP Taylor Rogers
Taylor Rogers might not be a household name in Baltimore, but his story has a bit of a full-circle feel. The Orioles drafted him back in 2009-albeit in the 37th round, which doesn’t even exist anymore-but he chose college at Kentucky over turning pro. Fast forward 15 years, and Rogers has carved out a decade-long MLB career, pitching for five teams and even sharing a bullpen with his twin brother, Tyler, in San Francisco.
While Tyler cashed in this offseason with a three-year, $37 million deal in Toronto, Taylor is still looking for a home. He’s not the same kind of pitcher-he doesn’t have the funky delivery or devastating sinker-slider combo-but he does have a sweeper that held hitters to a .168 average last season. That’s legit.
The problem? Opponents hit him hard when they did connect.
His hard-hit rate spiked to 44.4%, a 12-point jump from the year before, and some of his peripheral numbers took a step back. He started 2025 strong before a midseason trade to the Mets derailed things-something Ryan Helsley can probably relate to after his own rough Queens cameo.
Still, for a team like the Orioles looking to add a veteran lefty with closing experience and swing-and-miss stuff, Rogers could be worth a flyer.
RHP Michael Kopech
If you’re looking for upside, Michael Kopech has it in spades. Health? That’s another story.
The 29-year-old flamethrower only made 14 appearances last season and hit the injured list three separate times. In just 11 innings, he walked 13 batters-yikes-and never looked fully right. But if the Orioles are willing to chalk up 2025 as a lost year due to injury, there’s still a lot to like in Kopech’s arm.
In 2024, his first full season as a reliever, Kopech ranked in the 98th percentile in fastball velocity and 99th in spin rate. That’s elite territory. He’s always walked a tightrope with command, but he’s got the kind of electric stuff that can get him out of trouble just as quickly as he gets into it.
There hasn’t been much noise around Kopech this offseason, which might suggest teams are wary of his medicals. And if the Orioles are among the cautious, it’s understandable. But if they’re willing to bet on a bounce-back, Kopech could be the kind of high-risk, high-reward arm that pays off in October.
RHP Seranthony Domínguez
Here’s a name Orioles fans already know well. Seranthony Domínguez spent just over a year in Baltimore, arriving at the 2024 deadline and being shipped out again in July 2025. In between, he logged 68 appearances with a 3.50 ERA-right in line with his career average over seven MLB seasons.
Domínguez brings swing-and-miss stuff, averaging more than a strikeout per inning for his career. But he also walks a fine line with control (4.0 BB/9) and gives up his share of home runs. He’s the kind of reliever who can look dominant one night and shaky the next.
Still, he left a positive impression in the clubhouse. Former manager Tony Mansolino called him “an incredible dude” and praised his leadership, especially with younger players. That kind of presence matters, especially in a bullpen that could feature several untested arms this season.
MLB Trade Rumors projected Domínguez for a two-year, $18 million deal, but with time ticking and suitors scarce, he might have to settle for less. For the Orioles, that could be an opportunity to bring back a familiar face who knows the environment and can help steady the middle innings.
LHP Danny Coulombe
This one still stings.
Danny Coulombe gave the Orioles two excellent seasons in 2023 and 2024, posting a 2.56 ERA and proving to be one of the most reliable lefties in the league. But instead of picking up his very affordable $4 million option for 2025, the Orioles let him walk. The decision backfired almost immediately.
Coulombe signed with the Twins and opened the season with 21 straight scoreless appearances, finishing with a 1.16 ERA. Meanwhile, Cionel Pérez-the lefty Baltimore chose to keep-struggled so badly he was DFA’d in May.
Even though Coulombe battled injuries and didn’t finish strong after a deadline trade to Texas, he still racked up 1.4 WAR on the season. For $4 million, that’s a bargain.
If health concerns were the reason Baltimore passed last year, they may not be any more inclined to reunite now. But Coulombe’s performance showed he’s still got plenty left in the tank-and maybe a little extra motivation, too.
So, will one of these relievers be the missing piece that pushes the Orioles over the top? Maybe not.
But in a league where bullpen depth often separates contenders from pretenders, adding another proven arm could make all the difference come September. The O’s have the foundation.
Now it’s about finishing the job.