It’s only the end of May and the MLBseason is a long one, but the Baltimore Orioles already appear poised for a deep postseason campaign. With two months of play behind them, the Orioles are second in the AL East with a record of 31-18, just three games back from the division-leading New York Yankees, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
Still, if the Orioles want to avoid an early postseason exit like they experienced in 2023, there’s at least one area of the roster they need to focus on at the trade deadline, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden.
“I think the Orioles need an impact closer like Mason Miller or Ryan Helsley of the Cardinals,” Bowden wrote on May 23. “They could use two more set-up relievers as well.”
The Orioles’ current closer is Craig Kimbrel, who signed a one-year, $13 million deal with the team in December as a stopgap closer while Félix Bautista recovers from Tommy John surgery. In 19.0 innings this season, Kimbrel has posted a 3.32 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts, closing 11 saves in 14 opportunities and keeping opponents to a batting average of .172 — and none of that is bad, by any means.
