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With news last week that Felix Bautista will be undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff, it has placed the Baltimore Orioles in a bind when trying to map out their roster construction next season. Bautista will be sidelined for most of next season, and at the deadline, the Orioles took a wrecking ball to their bullpen. If the Orioles plan on contending in 2026, they will need to find a closer, and Bob Nightengale set the stage for them to potentially spend on one this offseason.
In his latest notebook, Nightengale connected the dots between Bautista's injury and the available closers in free agency.
"While it leaves the Orioles badly needing a closer, the free-agent market should be plentiful with Robert Suarez, Edwin Diaz, Aroldis Chapman, Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver."
Devin Williams is a perfect example of the risk involved with spending heavily on a closer. Williams was one of the best closers in the National League, but has struggled with the New York Yankees after an offseason trade. In the Yankees' case, they used the deadline to correct their mistake, and for a team like the Orioles, they may not have the same benefit if signing a closer this offseason backfires.
MLB insider believes Orioles could spend big on late-game savior
There's risk involved, but that is the corner the Orioles have found themselves in after Bautista's injury was a follow-up to their fire sale at the deadline. It wouldn't match the moves they have made in the past, and there would be a level of risk to it, but the Orioles have no choice but to turn to the free-agent market this offseason for a closer. With an expectation of contending, the Orioles can not enter the 2026 season without a clear answer at the backend of their bullpen.
In terms of potential options, Aroldis Chapman may be near the top of the list. Given his age, 38 at the start of next season, Chapman will likely be in the market for a short-term deal. It would fit for an Orioles' front office who floated a short-term, high-AAV offer to Corbin Burnes last offseason.