The Orioles’ bullpen from the left side, excluding Danny Coulombe, and a few other observations.
Surprising Move: Orioles Decline Coulombe’s Option and Other Updates
The Orioles made a surprising decision by declining Danny Coulombe’s $4 million option for 2025, one of five players the team had contract options on for next season. Coulombe has been a reliable, high-leverage left-handed reliever for the O’s over the past two years, posting a 2.12 ERA in 2024 and a combined ERA of 2.56 with a WHIP of 0.951 in 94 appearances since joining the team.
While the Orioles exercised contract options on pitchers Seranthony Domínguez and Cionel Pérez, as well as position player Ryan O’Hearn, they decided not to bring back Coulombe. The reasoning behind the decision isn’t clear yet, as no interviews have been conducted with the team’s decision-makers. However, it’s possible that Coulombe’s injury history played a role. He missed a significant portion of the 2024 season—June 11 to September 20—due to a procedure on his left elbow to remove bone chips. At 35, and with a second career elbow surgery on top of a hip surgery in 2022, there may be concerns about his durability going forward.
The current left-handed options in the Orioles’ bullpen include Keegan Akin, Gregory Soto, Pérez, and recently added Luis González from Triple-A. Akin, projected to earn $1.4 million through arbitration, posted a solid 3.32 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP in 78.2 innings. He had a quietly impressive season, with the lowest WHIP by an Orioles left-hander since Zack Britton in 2016. Statcast also ranks Akin highly in several categories, including expected ERA (97th percentile) and strikeout rate (93rd percentile).
Soto, who is expected to earn $5.6 million in arbitration, struggled against left-handed hitters but was much more effective against righties. Over his final 19 appearances, he posted a 1.10 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. Given the team’s decision to part ways with Coulombe, they may be betting on Soto, who has a stronger fastball, as the more viable option for the left side of the bullpen moving forward.
It’s possible that Coulombe could return to the Orioles on a new deal, but now he’s free to explore offers from other teams. Unless there’s a significant concern with his medicals, it seems likely that he will attract interest from multiple clubs.
Draft Outlook: A Potential Bumper Crop of Picks
The Orioles could end up with four picks in the top 35 selections of the 2025 MLB Draft. They currently hold the No. 19 overall pick and have the opportunity to add more through qualifying offers to Anthony Santander and Corbin Burnes. If both players decline their qualifying offers, the O’s would receive compensation picks, which could land just after the first round if the players sign for $50 million or more—something that is expected in both cases. Additionally, if Colton Cowser wins the American League Rookie of the Year award, the O’s could gain another pick through the Prospect Promotion Incentive program, bringing their total to four early picks in 2025.
Free-Agent Target: Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi, the Texas Rangers’ right-handed pitcher, recently declined his $20 million player option for 2025 and is now a free agent. The 35-year-old has been consistent, posting an ERA below 4.00 in every season since 2020, including a 3.75 ERA over that span. His solid performance, including a 3.05 ERA in 17 career playoff games and a strong postseason showing in 2023 (5-0 with a 2.95 ERA), could make him an attractive target for teams like the Orioles. The O’s could potentially sign him to a more affordable two- or three-year deal compared to the mega-contracts expected for some of the top free-agent starters.
