Building the dream 2026 Orioles bullpen knowing what we know now

With the 2026 season rapidly approaching, there’s still work to be done on the Baltimore Orioles roster, particularly in the bullpen. While the addition of Ryan Helsley is an excellent start, there is still more work to be done to elevate this team’s bullpen to the upper echelons of baseball given offseason departures, Felix Bautista's injury, and needed upgrades.

While endless debate can be had as to the exact names the front office led by Mike Elias should be bringing in, few will be complaining if the eight men in the bullpen look something like this entering the season:

Here is what a dream Orioles bullpen next season could look like

Ryan Helsley

The first addition of the offseason, Helsley brings elite stuff and a track record of success to the Orioles with his signing of a 2 year deal. The former All-Star had his struggles with the Mets, but the Orioles anticipate him returning to the dominant form he has been known for in the closer role over his career. With Felix Bautista expected to be out for most of (if not all of) this season, Baltimore will need Helsley to step up to be his replacement in 2026. 

Trevor Megill

Even with the signing of Helsley, this Orioles bullpen could use another high impact right-handed arm to elevate them to the next level. Enter Brewer’s arm Trevor Megill, a flamethrower whose name has appeared in trade speculation this offseason. Given the Orioles recent history connecting them to the Brewers as trade partners and Megill’s impressive stuff, this feels like a move Elias and co. should be all over. 

Keegan Akin

Likely Megill’s lefty counterpart in the setup role in this scenario, Akin has been a staple of Orioles bullpens in recent years. While his stuff appears less impressive at first glance, his sustained results are certainly eye-catching. All signs point to Akin being a valuable piece in the Orioles bullpen once again in 2026.

Andrew Kittredge

After being sent to the Cubs at the 2025 deadline, Baltimore re-acquired Kittredge from Chicago early in the offseason for cash considerations. A veteran arm with a long history of big-league success, Kittredge should be lined up to be a solid contributor in the middle of the bullpen.

Danny Coulombe

While Keegan Akin serves as a quality lefty in the pen, it is clear that at least one more left handed option is needed in the bullpen to maintain a good balance. That is where a reunion with former Orioles standout Danny Coulombe would make perfect sense. In his year away from Baltimore Coulombe continued to be an effective pitcher, posting a 2.30 ERA across 43 innings in Texas. It seems the veteran lefty would no doubt continue to be effective in a reunion with his former team.

Seranthony Dominguez

Speaking of reunions, Dominguez is still available as a free agent after being traded to Toronto at the 2025 trade deadline, and the Blue Jays seem unlikely to bring him back despite his impressive stint with the team. Seranthony Dominguez notched good results both with and away from Baltimore last season, including yet more playoff success to add to his resume serving as the Blue Jays setup man during their run to the World Series. As the Orioles look to build a bullpen which can perform at the biggest stage, bringing back this familiar face who has proven his ability to handle big playoff innings would be a step in the right direction.

Yennier Cano

After a blazing start to his career with the Orioles, Cano has fallen into some prolonged struggles in the bullpen in recent seasons. However, the stuff which made Cano elite in prior years is still there, and there’s no reason not to hope for a resurgence from the Cuban righty as he enters his age 31 season.

Tyler Wells

Rounding out the bullpen as a long-man, Tyler Wells’ inclusion is more reliant on the moves around him than his abilities as a starter. While Wells has the chops to start, Birdland remains hopeful that another impact starting pitcher is added this offseason that would force Wells to the bullpen, a role in which he excelled at early in his career. While the exact move in the rotation remains to be seen, the hope is for this front office to go out and sign or trade for an impact starter, leaving the remaining 4 starter spots to go to Bradish, Rogers, Baz and Kremer and moving Tyler Wells into the bullpen at the beginning of the season.