Three moves Baltimore Orioles should make this offseason

Name Tyler Wells the closer to start the season

As bleak as the 2021 season may have been, the Baltimore Orioles did have several bright spots. A couple of those were in the bullpen, where Cole Sulser and Tyler Wells exceeded expectations.

Sulser ended up as the Orioles’ closer by the end of the season. He did well in that role, leading the team with eight saves while posting a 2.70 ERA and a 1.121 WHiP over his 63.1 innings, striking out 73 batters with just 23 walks. However, as he will turn 32 years old before the start of the 2022 season, and had a miserable 2020 campaign, he may not be someone that the Orioles should trust as a closer.

With the team looking ahead, it is time to find another option for the ninth inning. Wells had a solid season in his own right, posting a respectable 4.11 ERA and a 0.912 WHiP in his 57 innings, striking out 65 batters with 12 walks. His ability to miss bats and excellent command could make him an important part of the Orioles’ future.

That future should include his being named as their closer. His command and strikeout ability, coupled with his relative youth, make him the right choice. Having the ninth inning locked up could go a long way towards solving some of the Orioles bullpen issues.

Tyler Wells could be an important part of the Baltimore Orioles’ future. That future should include his being named their closer to start the 2022 campaign.