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Baltimore Orioles Could Still Add This Free Agent Reliever
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- Baltimore Orioles Could Still Add This Free Agent Reliever
With opening day being 12 days away, teams are starting to solidify their rotations, lineups and bullpens.
We're starting to see and hear which pitchers will take the mound to start the season for their respective teams, along with what prospects will start the season in the minors or the majors. However, bullpens are never ending and are always changing.
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The Baltimore Orioles had one of the best bullpens in all of baseball only a few seasons ago, when they were led by former reliever of the year award winner Felix Bautista , 2023 breakout player Yennier Cano , and strong southpaws Danny Coulombe and Keegan Akin .
Unfortunately for Baltimore, Bautista is going to be injured until August, Coulombe is with the Boston Red Sox , and Akin and Cano have regressed.
However, there's is still a flame throwing righty that Baltimore could acquire prior to March 26th who has tons of experience and is currently on the open market.
Free Agent Reliever Michael Kopech (45) | © Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Michael Kopech (29) is one of the leagues hardest throwers, which is why he made the shift to being a full time reliever in 2024.
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Kopech found a ton of success as a starter early in his career with the Chiacgo White Sox, as in 188.2 innings, he posted a 3.53 ERA, 1.20 WHIP with 188 strikeouts and a 3.7 WAR in his 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, Kopech would blow up in the 2023 season, which prompted him to preserve his arm and transition to the bullpen.
Near the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline, the Los Angeles Dodgers would acquire Kopech via trade, and it's pretty safe to say that he balled out.
In 38 appearances (between 2024 and 2025) with Los Angeles, Kopech would post a dominant 1.54 ERA, 1.09 WHIP with a 29.1% strikeout rate in 35 innings of work. Kopech was one of, if not the best bullpen arm for Los Angeles over the past two seasons, and played an instrumental part in them winning back-to-back World Series.
Now, Kopech remains a free agent, but has been linked to multiple clubs such as the New York Yankees and San Fransisco Giants. It is quite shocking how Kopech hasn't been signed to a contract yet, given his success as a reliever.
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The concern with Kopech is his control, as he had a 10.9 BB/9 for Los Angeles last season. Kopech's inability to consistently pound the strike zone most likely played a part in Los Angeles parting ways with him. However, I believe Baltimore could benefit from having a high velocity guy in their bullpen that the staff could work with.
Felix Bautista wasn't always able to locate the zone, and with some retooling, Kopech could absolutely thrive in the backend of Baltimore's bullpen.
With opening day right around the corner, Kopech's market should start to heat up, and I would love for Baltimore to take a swing on him.
