Once Game 7 of the World Series ends on Saturday night, the Baltimore Orioles and 29 other clubs can begin building their rosters for 2026.
Sunday marks the beginning of a five-day “quiet period” in which teams may only negotiate with their own free agents. Once the clock strikes 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, the Orioles can start reaching out to representatives for external free agents who could address their needs.
After ranking 25th in MLB with a 4.57 bullpen ERA, relief help stands as one of the Orioles’ biggest needs entering the offseason. There are multiple spots to fill after trading away four key bullpen arms leading up to the deadline, along with losing star closer Félix Bautista to a season-ending shoulder injury that will cost him most — if not all — of 2026.
Baltimore will have plenty of relievers to choose from on the open market, but one intriguing possibility could be reuniting with Seranthony Domínguez — one of the first dominoes that fell at the 2025 trade deadline.
Domínguez, who turns 31 this month, joined the Orioles at the 2024 deadline and assumed the closer role down the stretch following the release of Craig Kimbrel. Before his expiring contract was dealt this past summer, he posted a 3.50 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 11.5 K/9 rate over 68 total appearances with Baltimore.
On July 29, Domínguez swapped dugouts in the middle of a doubleheader with the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards. The flamethrowing right-hander settled into a high-leverage role with the AL East rival right away, pitching against his former teammates the same day he was traded.