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Baltimore Orioles Bullpen Is A Priceless Commodity

By Dave Stevenson

Jun 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches during the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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While other teams are seeking to improve their bullpen, the Orioles have a bullpen that other teams covet. 

In any business, it is always a good thing when you own a sought after commodity. That allows yous to define the market should you be interested in selling. It’s no different in baseball. The Oakland Athletics in particular had success while taking advantage of a market inefficiency (on base percentage and slugging percentage). While the Moneyball Athletics are a shadow of their former selves, the Orioles have the modern day sought after commodity: their bullpen.

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Ever since the Kansas City Royals won the American League pennant thanks to a lockdown bullpen in 2014, teams have been desperately seeking to employ the same strategy. Truth be told, the Royals simply took the Orioles strategy from 2012 and perfected it. That is a testament to how good Baltimore’s bullpen is. Anytime Baltimore has a lead after the sixth inning, it feels as if the game is all but over. With a plethora of options including Brad Brach, Darren O’Day, Mychal Givens, Vance Worley, T.J. McFarland, and closer Zach Britton, Baltimore shortens games due to its bullpen depth.

Even without O’Day, their bullpen is dominating. And they have even more options in AAA should any of their options fail.

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Teams like the Chicago Cubs are looking to acquire elite bullpen talent, as the Cubs are reportedly interested in trading for Yankees relievers Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. As Baltimore fans remember, trading for elite bullpen talent tends to cost a lot. In 2014, they had to give up Eduardo Rodriguez for Miller. They also gave up Nick Delmonico for Francisco Rodriguez in 2013.

The Orioles are in a very good place. They don’t need a Chapman or a Miller to have a dominant bullpen. Sure, they should explore grabbing a lefty specialist at the trade deadline and they certainly have other needs as well. But Baltimore fans should note that other teams are trying to copy the O’s bullpen. And as they say, imitation is the highest possible form of flattery.

Next: Ubaldo to the bullpen

If Baltimore can get six decent innings out of their starting pitchers, their bullpen will a lot more often than not do their job and keep their team in a position to win. Considering the Royals just won the 2015 World Series with a slightly above average at best rotation and an elite bullpen, that gives the O’s a great blueprint for success. Now it’s up to the Orioles to perfect it.

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